French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez today authorized the use of stun grenades — prohibited in student demonstrations — during Saturday’s protests. The statement was made on the eve of a day of demonstrations in France, which will bring together students and other groups, including the “yellow vests”, against rising cost of living.
© Getty Images
16/10/2026
by
Lusa
French Government
O minister of the French Interior, Laurent Nuñez, today authorized the use of stun grenades — prohibited in student demonstrations — during protests scheduled for next Saturday.
The statement took place on the eve of a day of protests in France, which will bring together not only students but also other groups — including the “yellow vests”, responsible for riots in 2019 — in protest against rising cost of living.
The M84 (flashbang) stun grenade is a non-lethal weapon that causes loss of sight and hearing at the time of deflagration. “Policemen and gendarmes may use the entire arsenal of non-lethal weapons available — from tear gas grenades to defence projectors — in contexts of extreme difficulty,” Nuñez told television station France 2.
The Minister of the Interior (corresponding to the Ministry of Internal Administration) pointed out that the orientation covers stun grenades that, he said, are “unused” by security forces, but that “if episodes of extremely serious urban violence occur (...), they may be used”.
“ Grenades are not used in order maintenance operations during normal demonstrations (...) In the event of serious and intense clashes, all types of non-lethal weapons can be used,” he said.
The minister added that next Saturday’s demonstrations are different from those carried out by secondary school students — occasions when police action to contain disturbances was criticized.
Nuñez indicated that about 250 calls have been identified through social networks and about 80 demonstrations — of which half have already requested authorisation from the authorities — and asked the others to do the same to facilitate the maintenance of order.
The minister regretted that, at the end of many of the protests, they infiltrate “extreme-left elements” that provoke clashes with security forces and damage in public space.
On the other hand, Nuñez added that there is also a fear of roadblocks in certain parts of the country — as has already happened during the movement of the “yellow vests” — and stressed that if this happens, he gave orders to agents to ensure circulation.
Today, blockages in educational institutions have occurred on time in various places in the country, although most schools and educational centers have functioned normally.
Even so, in some points student protests led to clashes with security forces early in the morning, one of which, in southeastern Paris, resulted in shock police charges.