French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the government would introduce partial curfews to maintain security and order. He said that if a state of emergency became necessary, the authorities would act, but for now, partial curfews were more appropriate.
Lecornu clarified that the curfews would target specific neighborhoods rather than entire cities. The aim was to concentrate restrictions where vandalism and attacks on public buildings had occurred.
At least 2,400 people were arrested across France as violence erupted during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for “limited” and “localized” curfews to prevent rioting and looting. https://t.co/c5x4qOeODu
The disturbances took place during nationwide demonstrations protesting rising living costs, high energy prices, and deteriorating conditions in public schools.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed worries about the readiness of security forces in major cities.
Authorities reported that over 2,000 people were arrested in connection with the riots. At least 3,000 businesses suffered damage during the wave of looting and violence.
🚨🇫🇷 After VIOLENT street clashes, France is allowing PARTIAL protest bans in Paris. PM Sébastien Lecornu authorized local curfews and gathering bans, ruling out restrictions across the entire city. Marseille has already halted some public gatherings after more than 2,400 arrests over the weekend, as cost-of-living protests turned violent. The measures are temporary, but with France’s presidential election 6 months away, pressure on the government is mounting. Source: BBC / Writer: Lucas
While Lecornu did not rule out declaring a state of emergency, he emphasized that partial and localized curfews were preferable at that moment. The administration faced criticism over perceived security failings.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed worries about the readiness of security forces in major cities.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu: It has now been demonstrated that there is an ultra-left movement that wants to organize disorder — not to say something even more serious — profound disorder in the country until the presidential election. I believe this was clearly communicated to us by the intelligence services this morning. There is an entire network that could even mobilize to challenge the timetable of the presidential election, and even the holding of the presidential election itself.
US President Donald Trump advised France to close its borders immediately as a response to the unrest.
On the same day as the announcements, an emergency government meeting was convened to assess the situation and coordinate the response across ministries and regional authorities.
Regional authorities in Denain were among the first to introduce the curfew measures, applying them to the neighborhoods most affected by the weekend’s violence.
The cities of Pointe-à-Pitre and Les Abymes also saw the introduction of localized curfews, reflecting the decision to focus restrictions on particular hotspots rather than impose a nationwide rule.
Lille experienced notable unrest, with reports of confrontations and property damage that contributed to the broader picture of weekend riots across the country.
The protests that sparked the violence were described as nationwide, drawing participants from various regions who shared concerns about the cost of living, energy bills, and school conditions.
The weekend’s events were characterized by riots and looting, leading to the arrests and business damage cited by officials. The violence prompted the government to consider urgent security measures.