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(Nîmes, France, January 31, 2026) – Hundreds of people gathered in Nîmes, France, on Saturday to protest a proposed 2026 budget for the national police, which organizers say is insufficient to address staffing shortages and equipment deficiencies.
The demonstration, organized by the Alliance Police nationale union, drew police officers, citizens, elected officials, and representatives from various professional organizations to the Gard prefecture, according to the union.
- Police in France are protesting a proposed 2026 budget.
- The Alliance Police nationale union estimates a shortage of 100 officers and 15 vehicles in the Gard department.
- A national petition launched by the union has garnered nearly 78,000 signatures.
- organizers say the protest highlights a broader weakening of public services.
The protest focused on concerns over the upcoming 2026 budget, which has not yet been voted on, and its potential impact on law enforcement capabilities. “The budget has still not been voted on, and everything flows from there,” said Mélissa gil, Alliance representative in Gard.
Gil described the situation in the Gard department as “dramatic,” stating that she has repeatedly requested additional staff from the state. She added that a lack of staff and equipment is “unacceptable for a city like Nîmes, under the control of drug traffickers.”
The union estimates a shortage of approximately 100 police officers and 15 vehicles across the Gard department, encompassing Nîmes, Alès, and Bagnols-sur-Cèze. these deficiencies,according to gil,are directly impacting the processing of cases and the care of victims.
For the first time, the Alliance police nationale called on the general public to participate in the demonstration. “Citizens, associations, firefighters, the entire public service is weakening. Faced with increasing violence and crime, they are the first victims,” said Franck Rovira, regional secretary of Alliance Police nationale occitanie.
The demonstration included a delegation of municipal officials, parliamentarians, and local mayors, as well as farmers and firefighters.While the union estimated up to 1,000 participants, approximately 300 people were present, according to reports.
Speaking at 11:30 a.m., Rovira painted a stark picture of the security situation, stating, “Violence explodes, trafficking prospers, while state authority declines.” He evoked recent incidents of violence linked to drug trafficking in Gard, emphasizing that “Behind every case, there are broken lives.” He argued that both police officers and citizens are “victims of a system running out of steam” due to insufficient resources and support.
Along with the demonstration, the Alliance Police nationale launched a national petition that had collected nearly 78,000 signatures as of January 31. The petition’s text asserts that “Protecting the police means strengthening the Republic” and calls for improved relations between the population and law enforcement.
No meeting with the prefect was scheduled following the gathering. “He is aware of our difficulties. Regrettably, I sometimes have the impression that the prefects are a little powerless in the face of the State,” Gil concluded. The demonstration concluded with participants singing the Marseillaise, France’s national anthem.
Why It Matters
This demonstration highlights growing concerns within French law enforcement regarding resource allocation and its impact on public safety.The union’s decision to actively solicit public support signals a broadening of the debate beyond internal police matters, framing the issue as a systemic challenge affecting all citizens. The nearly 78,000 signatures on the petition demonstrate a significant level of public concern and could put additional pressure on
