In a move that will surprise absolutely no one familiar with the political logic of "stay the course," French President Emmanuel Macron has declined Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's offer to resign after a weekend of nationwide riots that left public buildings burned, hundreds of shops destroyed and looted, and at least 2,400 people arrested across the country. The Élysée Palace explained that Nuñez should stay to "ensure a chain of command is retained within the police and security forces" - which is a fancy way of saying that when the police lose control, the best solution is apparently to keep the guy in charge and ask him to come up with "new operational methods." Macron has duly instructed Nuñez to set up "as quickly as possible" new approaches to deal with looters, because nothing says urgency like a vague directive after the worst violence in years.

The crisis was worsened by what were described as "failures in anticipation and intelligence," a phrase that roughly translates to "we didn't see it coming, and we're as shocked as you are." Nuñez himself admitted on TV Monday that police "lost control" in some cities during the protests - a moment of candor that might have been refreshing if it weren't for the fact that he's keeping his job. Macron, in a national address, criticised the "unbridled violence" and asked, "Watching these images, we have all asked ourselves how could French people do this to France?" A question that might have been more pointed if the protests weren't fueled by rising living costs and declining public services - details that tend to get lost when you're busy being appalled by the imagery.

Meanwhile, the protests have taken a cultural turn: students from the École du Louvre blocked the entrance to the Louvre museum in Paris, forcing it to remain closed. A leaflet outside read, "We are proud to announce that we are blocking the world's largest museum." It's a bold new tourism strategy - come for the Mona Lisa, stay for the barricades. Authorities in Marseille have banned all public gatherings and demonstrations from midday to 8pm throughout the entire commune, because nothing says "we hear you" like a curfew.

On the international front, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to another night of heavy Russian attacks that killed at least one person and injured eight, confirming that Ukraine had no prior warning from the US and seemingly accusing Washington of being in a state of denial. "Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners," he said, noting that energy facilities and infrastructure were targeted, but also a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and ordinary residential buildings. Showing growing frustration, he added: "Ukraine never wanted this war, and we have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to bring this war to a dignified end. We have responded positively to EVERY ceasefire proposal. Russia's response, time and again, has been ballistic missiles, 'shaheds,' and killings." He went on to say that Putin "not only doesn't want to end this war - he doesn't even want to take any steps toward de-escalation," and criticised partners who block missile deliveries for Ukraine's air defence while granting Russia relief or delays in sanctions, calling it "a denial of reality."

In Italy, police clashed with protesters in Milan on Sunday during demonstrations over the rising cost of living, as lorry drivers blocked roads across southern Italy in protest at soaring fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. Footage showed police in riot gear firing teargas and using water cannon after several hundred hooded protesters smashed shop windows and set bins alight around Piazza del Duomo. The clashes echoed the violence in neighbouring France, where hundreds of thousands took to the streets on Saturday. Meanwhile, lorry drivers have caused widespread disruption, blocking major roads and creating huge traffic jams in Sicily, Puglia and Calabria. Hundreds of petrol stations have run out of fuel, supermarkets are reporting shortages of several products - particularly fresh food - and pharmacies have also been affected, raising concerns about disruption to essential supplies. "We are asking the government to urgently convene a meeting with industry associations. Otherwise, we will consider a nationwide strike," said Pasquale Russo, president of Conftrasporto. "The situation is very concerning because the excessive price increases affecting the haulage industry have created a highly tense situation among transport companies, leading to spontaneous protests in some areas of the country." In several parts of southern Italy, petrol stations have run out of both petrol and diesel, with motorists facing long queues at the few filling stations still operating. The road blockades have also caused extensive traffic disruption, with fears growing that prolonged protests could further disrupt supplies of food, fuel and other essential goods.

And in Sweden, the parliament's speaker is set to decide on the next step in the government formation process, because even in the midst of continental chaos, someone has to figure out who's in charge. It's Monday, 19 October 2026, and this is Europe Live - where the only thing more predictable than the protests is the political response to them.