Death of Nahel: exfiltrated mayors, crisis unit, curfews … How does the executive manage the riots?

Despite the police and gendarmerie deployed on the ground, many cities in France have been affected by a new night of violence, the third in a row since the death of 17-year-old Nahel. The policeman, author of the shooting, was indicted and imprisoned for intentional homicide. Riots that worry to the top of the state. How does the executive react?

Intervention by Gérald Darmanin to exfiltrate mayors

Whether at the Ministry of the Interior or at the Élysée, there is a real “stunning effect” at all levels. The situation is considered out of control in some places. The toll is considered more serious than at the time of the 2005 riots, with some differences, in particular the presence of very young mobile groups and extremely violent gangs.

Towards a state of emergency?

Not a big city was spared, so much so that Gérald Darmanin intervened personally to exfiltrate threatened mayors overnight. Despite the arrest record, 667 people, at the Élysée, it is estimated that the situation will last at least between three and five days.

This Friday, Emmanuel Macron is in Brussels for a European Council. But the Head of State will shorten his trip to be back in Paris at 1 p.m. and chair a new interministerial crisis unit. Until then, the phones are heating up between the Ministry of the Interior and the Élysée. Nothing is yet arbitrated, notes are being prepared and clearly, in the medium term, the implementation of the state of emergency is envisaged, even if it will not solve everything. It is above all political.

Then, Emmanuel Macron should encourage as many mayors as possible to put in place curfews. The challenge is also the ability of law enforcement to last over time. All gendarmerie and police reservists should be announced by the president. Finally, at the Élysée, it is considered essential that the president displays the strength of the State to show the French that from now on, it is firmness that must take precedence.