Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez rejects claims police shielded far-right agitators during protests
Laurent Nuñez said police did not protect ultra-right groups attacking demonstrators, countering accusations from LFI members.
Videos from multiple French cities showed masked ultra-right activists assaulting demonstrators during recent protests. The interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, stated that police and gendarmes intervened to stop looting and to curb extremist-left violence, and that they never protected the far-right groups. He noted that the presence of identity-based groups had been flagged by intelligence services as a risk.
LFI deputies Manuel Bompard and Thomas Portes publicly accused the police of shielding the militants, a claim the minister rejected, calling it a rumor. The prefecture reported that dozens of far-right participants were identified, with some facing legal action and the seizure of weapons and equipment. Nuñez called on prefects to pursue criminal proceedings and warned of possible administrative sanctions, including group dissolutions.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights tensions over police conduct and political narratives during nationwide protests.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes far-right groups’ presence and criticizes police, while centrist coverage reports the minister’s denial and factual details, and right-leaning coverage defends police and dismisses the accusations as rumors.
LEFT
Highlights the march of far-right groups across many cities and criticizes the police response.
CENTER
Presents the interior minister’s denial that police protected far-right activists and outlines the factual sequence of events.
RIGHT
Defends the police actions, portraying the accusations of shielding far-right agitators as unfounded rumors.
The left emphasises
- right-extremist groups marched in numerous cities such as Nice, Montpellier, Lille, etc.
- video footage shows right-wing activists attacking left-wing demonstrators
- criticizes the police for their handling of the protests
The right emphasises
- Nuñez says police intervened to stop looting and curb extremist-left violence
- calls accusations of shielding far-right groups a rumor
- mentions intelligence services flagged the presence of identity-based groups as a risk
How this story developed
- Oct 20 RN congress in Orléans faces heightened security concerns amid protest threats
- Oct 24 Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that tens of thousands of counter‑protesters are expected at the RN congress.
- Oct 25 Marine Le Pen launched her 2027 presidential campaign on Sunday at a rally in Orléans, marking the second day of the RN congress.
- Oct 26 Le Pen announced a national‑unity cabinet to be chaired by Jordan Bardella.
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