French parties blame government for October 17 riots; left seeks new police doctrine, right a state of emergency

French parties on the left and right blamed the government for the October 17 riots, while disagreeing sharply on the remedy: the right called for a state of emergency and firmer policing, the left for a new, de-escalating police doctrine, according to franceinfo and the parliamentary channel LCP. The President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, has asked for a parliamentary commission of inquiry, LCP reports.

The government's line

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu blamed France Unbowed (LFI) on Saturday, saying it was time for it to choose sides, franceinfo reports, and later blamed an ultra-left movement seeking to disrupt the April presidential election, according to CBS News. President Emmanuel Macron called for debate with the parties rather than in the street, and Lecornu is due to receive party leaders this week to discuss police doctrine (franceinfo, LCP).

On the left

• France Unbowed (LFI): Jean-Luc Mélenchon said the government was solely responsible for the destruction and had failed to organise public order, Al Jazeera reports. He also told supporters that those who share the movement's fight have no business looting, AP reported via CBS News. LCP says the party wants a doctrine of restraint and de-escalation, a ban on rubber-bullet launchers (LBDs) and grenades, and the dissolution of the BRAV-M motorcycle police units.
• Socialist Party: Olivier Faure called the looting shameful and said police doctrine must be profoundly changed (franceinfo). The party wants to give up what it calls mutilating equipment (LCP).
• The Ecologists: Marine Tondelier called for the doctrine to be reviewed quickly, France 24 reports, and on Sunday for Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to resign (franceinfo).
• Communist Party: Fabien Roussel said in early October that current policing should be questioned (LCP).
• Social democrat candidate Raphaël Glucksmann condemned attacks on town halls and firefighters (franceinfo). Marseille's Socialist mayor, Benoît Payan, asked the government for explanations (France 24).

On the right

• National Rally (RN): Jordan Bardella blamed "professionals of chaos", dismissed Macron's address and said the government could not protect the French (franceinfo, Al Jazeera). Marine Le Pen blamed LFI deputies for hijacking social demands, and called the government "exhausted, disoriented", according to franceinfo and NBC News. Spokesman Laurent Jacobelli said Nuñez should have resigned. LCP says the RN programme includes a presumption of self-defence for police.
• The Republicans (LR): Bruno Retailleau said the state's full force was the only answer and called for a new doctrine of firm repression (franceinfo, LCP).
• Reconquête and allies: Eric Zemmour said the time for appeasement was over, and Eric Ciotti called for swift punishment (franceinfo).

In the governing camp

Gabriel Attal (Renaissance) said the government had failed and that a state of emergency should be declared if needed to restore order, LCP reports. Edouard Philippe (Horizons) gave full support to the police and called for firmness (franceinfo). Mayors of France's largest cities asked the government to explain a lack of preparation, Al Jazeera reports.

In Parliament

• Commission of inquiry: requested by Braun-Pivet into the disorder and policing (LCP). Whether one will be set up has not been reported.
• Pending bills: a bill on a presumption of lawful use of weapons by police, passed by the Assembly in July, now goes to the Senate, and a casseurs-payeurs bill, to make rioters pay for damage, is due for debate soon, LCP reports.
• No censure motion has been reported in the coverage read.

Nuñez offered to resign on Monday; Macron refused, Al Jazeera reports.