France to Impose New Curfews ‘Where Necessary’ After Calm Night, PM Lecornu Says
New France curfews will be imposed in areas where needed on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said, adding that the measures introduced in several cities the previous day had “helped keep the night calm”, Dawn reported.
“Targeted curfews have contributed to calm overnight,” Lecornu wrote on X. “Tonight new curfews will be decided where the situation requires it. These decisions will be made on the ground, by the prefects, in coordination with the mayors.”
Police confirmed the night had passed without major incidents across France. The announcement marks a new phase in the government’s response to the unrest that brought curfews to Paris, Lyon and Lille on Monday, which Feature Pakistan covered as the measures were imposed.
New France curfews: targeted, local decisions
Several cities, including Paris, the southwestern city of Bordeaux and Nice on the French Riviera, introduced partial curfews on Monday in response to urban unrest that followed weeks of student demonstrations over poor learning conditions in high schools.
While some restrictions, such as those in Paris, initially applied only for the night from Monday to Tuesday, others, particularly in Bordeaux and Nice, were set to remain in force for several days.
During the night, a helicopter flew over the French capital’s Place de la Republique, one of the epicentres of the unrest, sweeping a powerful searchlight across the square to monitor compliance with the curfew.
France was rocked on Saturday by some of its worst rioting in recent years, just six months before the country elects a successor to President Emmanuel Macron. Accused of failing to anticipate and contain the street violence, the government has pledged to restore order.
Lyon’s candle-lit protest and the business toll
In Lyon, despite a ban on demonstrations, around 500 people gathered on Monday evening outside the tourism office that had been set on fire, to show support for shopkeepers affected by looting, according to organisers. The word “LYON” was spelled out on the ground with candles. A banner hung on a fence nearby read “Anti-Rioters Lyon” and “Doucet Resign”, referring to Green mayor Gregory Doucet.
The economic damage is mounting. Patrick Martin, the head of France’s Medef business lobby group, on Tuesday accused the state of having “failed” during the urban unrest that hit at least 3,000 businesses, according to preliminary estimates. Finance Minister Roland Lescure pledged support measures for shopkeepers and craftspeople.
Under pressure, the government scheduled another series of emergency meetings on Tuesday, including talks involving representatives of major social media platforms.
The unrest has been building for weeks. Earlier clashes between protesters and police and mass arrests during cost-of-living demonstrations showed the depth of anger over prices and living standards before Saturday’s explosion of violence.
Frequently asked questions
What did the French PM announce on Tuesday?
Sebastien Lecornu said France will impose new curfews where the situation requires it, with decisions taken locally by prefects in coordination with mayors, after Monday’s curfews helped keep the night calm.
Which French cities have curfews?
Paris, Bordeaux and Nice introduced partial curfews on Monday. Paris’s initially covered one night, while Bordeaux’s and Nice’s were set to last several days. More cities may follow on Tuesday.
How bad is the damage from the unrest?
At least 3,000 businesses have been hit, according to preliminary estimates from the Medef business lobby. The finance minister has pledged support measures for shopkeepers and craftspeople.
What sparked the protests?
Weeks of student demonstrations over poor learning conditions in high schools escalated into wider cost-of-living protests, which turned into some of France’s worst rioting in recent years on Saturday.
