Laurent NUÑEZ, former Paris Police Prefect, has been appointed Minister of the Interior and Overseas France in the second government formed by Prime Minister Sébastien LECORNU. His appointment was officially announced on Sunday, 12 October 2025.

Laurent NUÑEZ's return to the Ministry of the Interior marks the comeback of a figure whose career has been defined by service to the French state and a deep familiarity with the nation’s security apparatus. Former Paris Police Prefect, Laurent NUÑEZ was appointed Minister of the Interior in the government of newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien LECORNU, succeeding Bruno RETAILLEAU. His nomination, announced on 12 October 2025, is widely seen as a signal of continuity and operational pragmatism in a politically uncertain period.

At a time when questions of internal security, crisis management and social cohesion remain at the forefront of public concern, Laurent NUÑEZ brings with him more than two decades of hands-on experience in policing, intelligence, and state coordination. His appointment suggests a deliberate choice: to reinforce the ministry’s core mission, ensuring the security of citizens by drawing on tested expertise rather than political symbolism.

 

A Career Built on Operational Expertise

For Laurent NUÑEZ, this new chapter represents a return to familiar ground. Before serving as Paris Police Prefect from 2022 to 2025, he held several of the most demanding posts within the French security structure. A graduate of the École nationale d’administration (ENA), he began his career as a tax inspector before joining the Ministry of the Interior in 1999, where he soon established himself as a capable and pragmatic administrator.

His early experiences in Seine-Saint-Denis as Director of Cabinet to the Prefect (2008–2010) brought him face-to-face with the realities of urban security, community tensions and law enforcement coordination in one of France’s most socially complex departments. Later, as Sub-Prefect of Bayonne (2010–2012), he was tasked with managing cross-border issues and maintaining dialogue in the Basque Country, a delicate balance between firmness and negotiation.

Laurent NUÑEZ’s name became more widely known when he was appointed Prefect of Police of the Bouches-du-Rhône (2015–2017), a region historically challenged by organised crime and trafficking networks. In Marseille, he worked closely with judicial and intelligence services to modernise operational coordination and restore confidence in law enforcement. These years solidified his reputation as a results-oriented, consensus-building leader who could manage sensitive situations with both authority and nuance.

 

From Intelligence to Counter-Terrorism

His expertise reached a national dimension in 2017 when he became Director General of the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI). There, Laurent NUÑEZ played a key role in modernising intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism coordination between agencies an effort that followed the wave of attacks that had shaken France in 2015 and 2016. His tenure was marked by the strengthening of inter-agency networks and the introduction of new analytical frameworks designed to anticipate emerging threats, including radicalisation and cyberterrorism.

When he joined the government in 2018 as Secretary of State for the Interior under Christophe CASTANER, Laurent NUÑEZ was seen as a bridge between the political sphere and the operational backbone of the security services. His understanding of both the intelligence community and field operations proved instrumental in shaping pragmatic responses to complex security issues.

Following his time in government, Laurent NUÑEZ continued to serve the state as National Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Coordinator at the Élysée Palace from 2020 to 2022, a position created after the 2015 attacks to ensure coherence between France’s multiple intelligence agencies. From there, he transitioned to one of the country’s most visible security roles: Prefect of Police of Paris.

 

Leading the Paris Police and the Olympics Challenge

Appointed in July 2022, Laurent NUÑEZ’s mandate as Paris Police Prefect coincided with one of the most critical security challenges France has faced in decades: ensuring the safety of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event mobilised tens of thousands of security forces and required unprecedented coordination between the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defence, and international partners.

The successful delivery of the Games, with no major security incident reported, was widely seen as a testament to his methodical approach combining anticipation, inter-service coordination and on-the-ground leadership. For this, he was made Commander of the Legion of Honour in early 2025, recognising his contribution to what many observers described as a “security marathon” for France.

 

Current Priorities: Restoring Everyday Security and Operational Coordination

Now back at the Ministry of the Interior, Laurent NUÑEZ takes office with a clear message. “Our priorities are those that matter to citizens: restoring everyday security,” he declared during his first official visit as minister to Versailles on 13 October.

His agenda includes strengthening the fight against trafficking, improving coordination between police and gendarmerie forces, and reinforcing civil protection mechanisms. At a time when France faces persistent challenges linked to crime, cyber threats, and public order, Laurent NUÑEZ’s approach emphasises pragmatism and institutional stability over political rupture.

 

Continuity in a Moment of Political Uncertainty

Laurent NUÑEZ’s nomination comes in a tense political context, as Prime Minister LECORNU’s new government faces a potential motion of censure. Yet his profile combining prefectural discipline, intelligence experience, and proven crisis leadership positions him as a key figure in maintaining continuity within the state apparatus.

For the Ministry of the Interior, his return signals a renewed focus on operational efficiency and the protection of citizens, values that have defined his entire career.

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