France's massive intel failure sparks resignation offers amid days of rioting

France is confronting a major intelligence failure after authorities badly underestimated the scale of nationwide protests that descended into riots and looting.The days of chaos have prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to order a security review as senior officials acknowledged police "lost control" in several major cities and senior government officials have offered to resign after they failed to predict the level of pandemonium.Some 550,000 people joined 110 marches nationwide Saturday, according to France's Interior Ministry, far exceeding an intelligence estimate of roughly 200,000 demonstrators.Organizers put turnout even higher, at 800,000.Cars burned in the streets, more than 1,500 stores were reportedly ransacked or destroyed and public buildings were attacked across the country.

In Limoges, rioters broke into and torched a 19th-century city hall that had survived both world wars, causing its roof to collapse.By Monday, the Louvre remained closed as student protesters blocked its entrances, extending the disruption into another day.TOP TOURIST DESTINATION IN THE WORLD SHUTS DOWN AMID VIOLENT PROTESTSThis photograph shows a fire burning and destroying the city hall after a group of individuals forced entry into the building during ongoing protest action against the "high cost of living", in Limoges, central France on October 17, 2026 as part of a nationwide call for mobilisation bringing together various groups expressing their anger: former "Yellow Vest", secondary school and university students, climate activists and even farmers.After weeks of student protests, France faces broader, nationwide demonstrations on October 17, 2026 over the cost of living, setting up a potentially fraught six months heading into a presidential election.

A police source told AFP that authorities estimated nearly 200,000 people could take part, with 40,000 in Paris.France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu (C) speaks to the press flancked by France's Interior Minister ...