French interior minister Laurent Nuñez emphasized 'a lot of firmness' in response to security challenges, as Mediapart reveals state failure during a major mobilization event.
Interior minister's handwritten note
Before signing an official directive, Laurent Nuñez included a handwritten note stating, "Thank you for applying these instructions with the greatest firmness," highlighting the emphasis on strict enforcement of policies.Telegram to prefects
In a telegram sent to regional officials on October 22, the interior minister outlined a policy focused on maintaining order, which was later summarized in a press statement emphasizing "a lot, a lot, a lot of firmness."Public statement on enforcement
The next morning, Laurent Nuñez told the press that the government would be "unyielding" in its approach, repeating the phrase "a lot, a lot, a lot of firmness" to stress the strict enforcement of order-maintenance measures.Account of state failure
A week after the October 17 security failure, Mediapart published an investigation titled "We were overwhelmed," detailing how government officials were unable to manage the situation effectively, according to testimonies and internal documents.Mobilization under pressure
Faced with the challenge of managing the October 24 events, the interior minister resorted to mobilizing all available resources, even at the risk of widespread repression, to ensure the implementation of the strict policies outlined in his directives.
