Macron condemns French protest violence, rejects interior minister's resignation

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "unbridled" violence during nationwide protests, saying "we all feel anger and shame," while rejecting Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's resignation offer. Around 2,400 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 security forces injured in Saturday's riots. Macron vowed to prosecute those responsible with full legal force, targeting "agitators from far-left fringe groups," while distinguishing peaceful demonstrators with "legitimate demands" from looters. He promised full transparency into police conduct and announced reinforced security measures, though he stopped short of declaring a state of emergency. The violence erupted during protests against high living costs and education system failures, with 550,000 to 800,000 participants nationwide. Sunday saw renewed clashes in Paris and Lyon, and a teenager in Mulhouse lost an eye. Macron asked Nuñez to develop new anti-looting strategies.