French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez offered his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron after nationwide protests on Oct. 17 spiraled into some of the worst urban violence and looting France has seen in years. Macron refused the offer, citing the need for uninterrupted command of the security forces amid ongoing fallout from the unrest.

Núñez, speaking on France Inter Monday morning, was direct: “I submitted my resignation because I am responsible for everything that happens.” 

"Je remets ma démission parce que je suis responsable de tout ce qui se passe" : Laurent Nuñez a déposé sa démission au président de la République qui l’a refusée Le ministre de l’Intérieur est au micro de @Ben_Duhamel dans le 7h50 du 19 octobre 2026 https://t.co/MWEMOE13HA https://t.co/lYQMvwmNj3

— France Inter (@franceinter) October 19, 2026

He acknowledged a “lack of anticipation” in preparations and said police had “lost control” in certain major cities, according to Le Monde news outlet. Forecasts had put expected turnout at around 200,000; the Interior Ministry later counted roughly 550,000 participants nationwide, while the CGT union estimated 800,000. About 60,000 law-enforcement personnel were deployed, yet the scale overwhelmed them in multiple locations.

A second wave of protests is already being called for on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, with fears of a new wave of violence and unrest.

The Great Replacement is driving the French riots, says right-wing politician Éric Zemmour. "I believe that what we saw yesterday is the true face of the Great Replacement. It has an appearance: hordes of North African and African barbarians who ransack cities." Follow: @RMXnews

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 19, 2026

The Saturday demonstrations, called over rising living costs, fuel prices, declining public services, and conditions in schools, began largely peacefully but were overtaken by extreme violence in cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Limoges, and Strasbourg. 

Masked groups set fires, attacked public buildings, and looted shops. In Limoges, the historic 19th-century town hall was largely destroyed by arson. In Marseille, protesters breached city hall. Nationwide, authorities reported roughly 1,800 to more than 2,400 arrests and nearly 1,000 injured police and gendarmes. Additional clashes occurred in Paris and Marseille on Sunday.

Mass looting hits France

More than 2,000 shops were looted or damaged across the country, with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimating damages in the hundreds of millions of euros.

France: Arab and Black youths make throat-slitting gesture while Spanish journalist reports on French riots

Carrefour alone saw about 50 stores affected, with repair costs exceeding €10 million and knock-on effects for employees through reduced hours.

In Paris, the area around Place de la République and the Marais saw systematic looting of supermarkets, electronics stores, bars, wine shops, gold buyers, and clothing retailers.

This is what happened when French people tried to stop the rioters. French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez has now offered his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron after nationwide riots. Macron refused the offer. Follow: @RMXnews https://t.co/CCdB254Yma

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 19, 2026

According to Welt newspaper, one gold-shop owner told reporters, she received a call from a neighboring restaurant worker who had filmed a group of young people breaking in: “They smashed everything up. They stole things. When I got back, they’d taken everything.”

A Nicolas wine store nearby had its windows and entrance smashed, shelves emptied, and champagne cartons and glass left on the floor. Employees of a Marais fashion boutique described the atmosphere as “dystopian,” with tear gas entering the premises. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire later said entire streets had been “methodically ravaged.”

Ceux qui ont cherché à faire tomber la République auront à en répondre. https://t.co/qtqKUIXPpu

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 18, 2026

The Élysée announced Monday that Macron had rejected the resignation “given the need for continuous command of the security forces in the current situation.” The government was also reportedly considering declaring a state of emergency. However, Núñez has since stated that the government was “absolutely not” considering a state of emergency and would continue with existing public-order tools.

The presidency also acknowledged “failures in anticipation and intelligence-gathering” and directed Núñez to deploy a new doctrine of order maintenance “against the rioters” as quickly as possible, while ensuring transparency over the planning shortfalls.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was scheduled to chair an interministerial crisis unit. Macron himself continued a planned diplomatic tour of Gulf states aimed in part at securing oil and diesel supplies to ease fuel prices.

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France’s fuel shortages persisted Monday, with roughly 14 percent of the country’s service stations reporting at least one product out of stock and hundreds completely dry, as diesel prices hovered near multi-year highs and President Emmanuel Macron began a Gulf tour aimed at securing additional supplies.

Official data from the Economy Ministry showed 14 percent of stations nationwide facing shortages of diesel or gasoline as of 9 a.m. Monday, up from 10 percent on Saturday.

Independent trackers drawing on the same government feed reported more than 1,600 stations with at least one temporary shortage and several hundred that had run completely out of the fuels they normally sell. Diesel was among the products affected, with median prices around €2.35–€2.36 per liter.

France: Macron’s approval rate hits all-time low as fuel crisis worsens

The disruptions have been most acute at TotalEnergies stations, which have capped prices at €1.99 per liter for gasoline and €2.25 for diesel since July.

More than half of the company’s roughly 2,300 sites have reported shortages in recent days, according to data analyses, as drivers seek the cheapest fuel and inventories run low. Regions including the Grand Est, Île-de-France and Normandy have been among the hardest hit.

The shortages are rooted in global market tightness linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict involving Iran, which has constrained refined product flows, particularly diesel. However, Ukraine’s ongoing strikes against Russian refineries have also played a key role.

Europe races to contain energy crisis with patchwork measures

France and other G7 members agreed earlier this month, under French chairmanship and with International Energy Agency coordination, to release up to 100 million barrels of emergency oil and diesel stocks. France is drawing down 10 million barrels of its own diesel reserves over three months, with the government estimating the move could cut pump prices by 12 to 18 cents per liter starting around Nov. 1.

TotalEnergies has separately pledged reductions of roughly 8 to 12 cents at its stations over the same period.

Macron arrived in Kuwait on Monday for a three-day tour that also includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. The Élysée said the goal is to secure additional diesel and oil volumes and explore alternative shipping routes, with senior executives from TotalEnergies and Engie accompanying him.

A presidential adviser said that the aim is “additional volumes and more supplies for the French people, which will indirectly have an effect on prices.” Macron has linked the price surge to the Hormuz disruptions and maintained the trip despite the weekend’s violent cost-of-living protests, during which fuel prices were among the grievances cited by demonstrators.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has said the reserve release should begin easing prices from Nov. 1 and that electricity bills will not rise this winter. Opposition figures have called the plan insufficient or a “scam,” arguing it does little to address longer-term vulnerabilities or the immediate empty pumps. The government has maintained that strategic stocks remain adequate and that the main issue has been logistics and distribution under high demand.

Drivers across multiple regions reported long searches for open pumps over the weekend, with some stations posting “out of stock” signs for diesel. The combination of high fuel prices and shortages has added to broader cost-of-living pressures that large demonstrations and mass riots on Oct. 17, which turned violent in several cities.

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Mainstream Polish journalist Dominika Długosz suggested that recent protests in France, Spain and Italy are being driven and influenced by Russia, a claim that was sharply rebuked by a number of Polish conservatives on X.

Długosz, a political reporter for Newsweek and Onet, wrote sarcastically on X on Oct. 18: “We’ll certainly be very surprised if in a year/two/five it turns out that the protests right now in Spain, France, Italy were influenced by Russia. We’ll be in shock.”

Bardzo się na pewno zdziwimy jak się za rok/dwa/pięć okaże, że protesty właśnie teraz w Hiszpanii, Francji, Włoszech były inspirowane z Rosji. W szoku będziemy.

— Dominika Długosz (@domi_dlugosz) October 18, 2026

Rafał A. Ziemkiewicz, a conservative writer and commentator, replied directly to Długosz: “Because it was Putin who let all those migrants in there and ran up those debts. Of course, Ms. Dominika.”

Bo to Putin tam wszystkich tych migrantów nawpuszczał i tych długów narobił. Wiadomix, pani Dominiusiu

— Rafał A. Ziemkiewicz (@R_A_Ziemkiewicz) October 18, 2026

Łukasz Warzecha, a journalist and commentator associated with the conservative weekly Do Rzeczy, posted a broader mockery: “What else in history did Russia influence? In my opinion, Putin was behind the extinction of the dinosaurs, the Tunguska meteorite impact, the murder of Leszek the White and the death of Vasco da Gama. What’s more, Putin personally infected da Gama with malaria by sending a trained mosquito after him.”

Co jeszcze w historii inspirowała Rosja? Moim zdaniem Putin stał za zagładą dinozaurów, uderzeniem meteorytu tunguskiego, zabójstwem Leszka Białego oraz śmiercią Vasco da Gamy. Przy czym da Gamę Putin osobiście zaraził malarią, nasyłając na niego wytresowanego komara.

— Łukasz Warzecha (@lkwarzecha) October 18, 2026

Długosz’s post did not present evidence of Russian involvement, and no independent verification of external direction of the protests has been reported by major international news agencies covering the events.

The posts came as France reeled from one of its most violent days of unrest in years. On Saturday, Oct. 17, demonstrations against rising living costs, fuel prices, declining public services and school conditions drew between 550,000 and 800,000 people nationwide, according to Interior Minister Laurent Núñez and the CGT union. Violence erupted during the protests in numerous cities including Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Limoges and Strasbourg.

The Great Replacement is driving the French riots, says right-wing politician Éric Zemmour. "I believe that what we saw yesterday is the true face of the Great Replacement. It has an appearance: hordes of North African and African barbarians who ransack cities." Follow: @RMXnews

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 19, 2026

The exchange, highlighted by the conservative outlet Do Rzeczy, reflects a recurring Polish and broader European debate over whether external actors, particularly Russia, are driving social unrest. For years, the left has claimed Russian influence campaigns were responsible for everything to the election of Donald Trump to the popularity of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). While Russian influence campaigns are active and ongoing, their reach is extremely limited, and even more so now that major media actors like RT have been banned in Europe.

In France itself, right-wing politician Éric Zemmour said the violent protests and looting were “the true face of the Great Replacement,” citing Palestinian, Algerian and Moroccan flags among demonstrators and alleging ties to antifascist groups and left-wing lawmakers.

“What we saw yesterday is the true face of the Great Replacement. It has an appearance: hordes of North African and African barbarians who rampage through cities,” he said.

‘The true face of the Great Replacement’ – Right-wing politician Zemmour says French riots driven by ‘hordes of North African and African barbarians’

Authorities reported roughly 1,800 to more than 2,400 arrests during the riots, thousands of shops looted or damaged, and significant injuries among police, firefighters and others. A historic town hall in Limoges was largely destroyed by arson. In Marseille, protesters breached city hall.

President Emmanuel Macron, in a televised address, distinguished between “legitimate demands” of protesters and those who “destroyed, smashed and looted.” He said those responsible “must pay,” blamed “seditious elements from far-left factions, joined by numerous delinquents,” and asked, “How can French people do this to France?”

The post Putin may be behind the riots in France, suggests Polish journalist appeared first on Remix News.

French right-wing politician Éric Zemmour said Sunday that violent protests and looting the previous day revealed “the true face of the Great Replacement,” citing Palestinian, Algerian and Moroccan flags among demonstrators and alleging ties to antifascist groups and left-wing lawmakers.

During an appearance on French news network LCI, Zemmour said: “What we saw yesterday is the true face of the Great Replacement. It has an appearance: hordes of North African and African barbarians who rampage through cities.”

The Great Replacement is driving the French riots, says right-wing politician Éric Zemmour. "I believe that what we saw yesterday is the true face of the Great Replacement. It has an appearance: hordes of North African and African barbarians who ransack cities." Follow: @RMXnews

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 19, 2026

“It has its flags: Palestinian, Algerian and Moroccan. It has its allies, Antifa militias. It has its legal backing, the LFI deputies. It has a mode of operation: looting, raids. And finally, I would say it has an ideological, historical engine: hatred of France and revenge for colonization,” he continued.

Zemmour, a former journalist and author who leads the Reconquête party, has long promoted the “Great Replacement,” which he uses to describe native European populations being demographically supplanted by non-European immigrants, particularly from Muslim-majority countries, Africa, and Asia. The topic is openly discussed in France, including among intellectuals, academics, politicians, and even Michel Houellebecq, arguably the country’s most celebrated living author.

Michel Houellebecq says Great Replacement is ‘fact’: ‘I was very shocked that it was called a theory. It’s not a theory, it’s a fact.’

Zemmour’s remarks referred to massive riots on Oct. 17 that occurred in French cities across the country, where protests over the cost of living and public services turned into some of the country’s most violent demonstrations in years. Videos of burning buildings, looted stores, and violent clashes with police were spread across social media.

Unbelievable footage from Paris. Police are in open panic as they flee from rioters. State control has collapsed across the country. Follow: @RMXnews https://t.co/sPAoTLe8VZ

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 17, 2026

Similar unrest occurred the same weekend in northern Italy, including Milan, where youths looted shops and clashed with officers.

Taking inspiration from riots in France, 2nd- and 3rd-generation migrant youths in Milan looted luxury stores and supermarkets today (Oct. 18). Italian police are nowhere to be seen. Follow: @RMXnews https://t.co/eAauRfkJU4

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 18, 2026

Zemmour’s remarks came at a time when U.S. officials, including Donald Trump, have remarked on the riots as well.

“France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country. Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!” wrote Trump.

Vice President JD Vance also wrote on X: “Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this and they didn’t listen.”

Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this and they didn’t listen. I pray that France, a beautiful country of amazing people, will stop this madness before more of its landmarks burn. And I hope Americans are paying attention. This is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country.

— JD Vance (@JDVance) October 18, 2026

Zemmour, who finished fourth in the 2022 presidential election, has remained a prominent voice on immigration ahead of France’s next national vote, but his right-wing rival, Le Pen, is heavily favored to win the presidency. Zemmour typically polls around 5 percent in the first round.

Zemmour: France is in a struggle for survival against the Great Replacement

The post ‘The true face of the Great Replacement’ – Right-wing politician Zemmour says French riots driven by ‘hordes of North African and African barbarians’ appeared first on Remix News.

A Spanish public television correspondent was forced to cut short a live report from the French capital Saturday night after several Arab and Black men approached her and made threatening gestures, including one simulating a throat-slitting motion, as nationwide protests turned violent, stores were looted, and historic buildings burned to the ground.

The female TVE journalist, wearing a protective helmet and holding a microphone bearing the network’s logo, was reporting from a Paris street on official figures when the Arab and Black men appeared behind her in video of the broadcast.

During the broadcast, she stated: “According to figures just released by the Minister of the Interior, some 550,000 people have taken to the streets across France and around 400 people have been arrested.” 

JUST IN: This is the true face of the French protests. A Spanish TVE journalist was reporting live from Paris when a group of Arab and Black males jumped behind her and made throat-slitting gestures. She was forced to cut off the broadcast. Follow: @RMXnews https://t.co/0HjambGvfC

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 17, 2026

Then, the youths crowded the screen with one Black male raising his arms and drawing a finger across his throat towards the camera.  He also gave the middle finger and made shooting motions.

The correspondent continued briefly, noting fires nearby, firefighters responding and the difficulty of maintaining the connection amid the disorder, before the live feed was interrupted.

The episode occurred during a day of demonstrations that began weeks earlier as student protests devolved into mass rioting with thousands of arrests, numerous schools set on fire in arson attacks, and even over 60 teachers and school staff suffering injuries.

JUST IN: The entire roof of the Limoges City Hall has collapsed after an arson attack during ongoing riots in France. Due to the catastrophic damage, this beautiful piece of European architecture is unlikely ever to be restored. Follow: @RMXnews https://t.co/AbqDbP3GIq

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 17, 2026

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez put the nationwide turnout at about 550,000, including 110,000 in Paris. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said more than 1,200 people were detained and condemned the “unacceptable levels of violence.” Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire later said entire streets had been devastated.

Violence included clashes with riot police using tear gas and water cannons, looting, and arson. The city hall in Limoges was set ablaze, with its roof collapsing in video footage; similar attacks or defacement targeted buildings in Marseille and Lyon. Authorities reported dozens of injured officers.

- "Wallah, f**k the police!" A Black male rioter shouts as he throws a massive piece of concrete from a rooftop in Paris down on police officers and their vehicles. The projectile missed but a strike from that height would likely be deadly. Follow: @RMXnews https://t.co/41nvVkxdmK

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 17, 2026

TVE had not issued a detailed public statement on the specific interruption in available reports as of early Sunday. The network’s correspondent was among those working amid the disorder that continued into the night.

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