In the wake of significant violence and looting over the weekend, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has urged regional authorities to impose partial curfews in multiple cities. The unrest was triggered by protests regarding the rising cost of living and educational issues, resulting in extensive damage to local businesses.
As part of the measures, a curfew will be enforced in several neighborhoods of Paris from 11 PM on Monday until 6 AM Tuesday. Moreover, demonstrations in certain areas of the city will be prohibited during the same time frame. The Rhône Prefecture announced similar restrictions for Lyon, while Lille and nearby towns will also see curfews starting at 9 PM.
Nice’s mayor has mandated a curfew for minors beginning at 10 PM and lasting until Sunday. Lecornu emphasized the need for these measures during an emergency meeting, stating, “I am absolutely determined to restore order.” He noted that while a state of emergency remains a possibility, implementing curfews appears more appropriate for the current situation.
In Marseille, where the impact of violence has been particularly severe, public gatherings have been banned from noon until 8 PM, with police reporting that over 30,000 individuals participated in looting incidents. Business leaders estimate that around 500 shops in the city center were damaged or looted during the chaos.
As authorities grapple with the aftermath, more than 700 individuals have been detained in connection with the unrest. The government has announced support measures for affected businesses, including short-time work arrangements and the establishment of a recovery fund.
Lecornu has faced criticism regarding the preparedness of security forces, while he accused extremist groups of exploiting the situation to incite further disorder ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. He remarked on the considerable property damage but noted that no fatalities occurred during the violence—a situation he described as fortunate.
International responses have also emerged, with various European nations advising citizens to avoid large gatherings in France and exercise heightened caution. The unrest has drawn condemnation from EU representatives, who emphasize the distinction between peaceful protestors and those engaging in violence.
