In brief
After a week‑long wave of protest turning into violent riots across France, police in Paris and other major cities imposed nighttime curfews to restore order. The curfews target the city centre and several other urban areas, limiting gatherings from 23:00 to 06:00 local time. The government has pledged financial aid for damaged businesses and introduced a temporary unemployment fund, while the Interior Minister admits that law‑enforcement lost control in some locales. Political leaders blame left‑wing activists for escalating violence, and a president‑elect faces questions over his handling of the crisis.
By Jaroslav Lukiv.
French authorities have imposed overnight curfews in parts of central Paris and other cities after a weekend of riots and looting across the country.
Police in Paris said a curfew would be in force between 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT) and 06:00 in Place de la République, where protesters had gathered over the weekend, and the Les Halles shopping area.
A ban on unauthorized gatherings has also been imposed in several other parts of the city centre.
Partial curfews, varying in scope, were announced for cities including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon, Lille and other towns.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who faced criticism for the preparedness for the disorder, admitted police had “lost control” in some cities. His resignation was rejected by President Emmanuel Macron.
The protests began last month with students demanding better school conditions and have since broadened to include trade unions and other groups, with more than 2,500 people arrested. A demonstrator lost a hand to a police crowd‑control grenade, and about 1,000 officers were injured.
After a crisis meeting, the prime minister gave local mayors the power to implement curfews “where needed”, though he did not specify the cities.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government would allocate funds to help affected areas recover, the money to be clawed back from those responsible for the violence. He also announced a partial unemployment fund for those unable to work due to the riots.
Official estimates put the damage at “hundreds of millions of euros”, with more than 2,000 shops and businesses impacted. Looted goods were identified and removed from online sale platforms like Vinted.
At least 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets over the weekend to protest rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services, including schools.
Groups of rioters, some wearing masks, set fire to cars and buildings in Paris, Marseille and other cities. In Limoges, the ornate 19th‑century city hall was gutted by a fire, its clock tower collapsing.
U.S., Chinese and German foreign ministries have issued travel alerts advising citizens to avoid areas affected by the demonstrations.
Some politicians blamed the left‑wing La France Insoumise party for the violence, with PM Lecornu alleging that factions “want to create chaos” before the upcoming presidential elections. The party’s leader Jean‑Luc Mélenchon demanded proof or an apology.
