French PM orders curfews as violent protests grip country

Summarised from 4 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 19 Oct, 15:32 · Archive

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has ordered local authorities to impose partial curfews after violent weekend protests left thousands of businesses damaged.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on Monday that local authorities would implement partial and localised curfews to control ongoing civil unrest. The measure aims to protect people, property and businesses affected by the weekend's violence.

An estimated 3,000 businesses have been damaged or looted during the riots. The government plans to establish a special support fund to provide financial assistance to affected businesses. Lecornu said that nearly 2,500 people were arrested during the weekend's unrest, with 80 per cent of those arrested now facing criminal charges.

Lecornu confirmed that France could declare a state of emergency if deemed necessary, though he stated that curfews appeared better suited to the current situation. A map of the curfew zones was to be released after consultations with local mayors. Junior minister Jean-Didier Berger suggested the curfews could restrict nighttime access to specific streets or areas with high concentrations of businesses.

The Prime Minister blamed the violence on what he called an 'ultra-left movement' seeking to orchestrate disorder in the runup to France's presidential election in April. He said police had lost control during the unrest. Lecornu also announced that furlough measures would be available from Tuesday for affected businesses and that an operation of around 200 investigators would begin in Paris to analyse footage of the violence.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez submitted his resignation following the weekend's violence, though President Emmanuel Macron refused to accept it. Macron gave a primetime address on Sunday to reassure the public, though his speech was widely criticised as insufficient. The violence began weeks ago as student protests over school conditions but expanded into broader demonstrations over the cost of living and declining public services.

How it is being reported

• French PM says 'ultra-left' seeking 'deep unrest' ahead of electionFrench Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday accused the "ultra-left movement" of seeking to "orchestrate deep unrest across the country" in the runup to next year's presidential election. FRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor Angela Diffley looks back at Lecornu's remarks in the wake of the violent protests that shook the country over the weekend.France 24 · 19 Oct, 15:20
• France vows to crack down after protests spiral out of controlFrench leaders call for local curfews and say an "ultra-left movement" was behind widespread violence and vandalism amid anti-government protests.CBS News · 19 Oct, 14:13
• French PM orders ‘localized’ curfews in response to looting and unrestThe government faces criticism it failed to adequately prepare for the violence that played out alongside mass protests.Politico Europe · 19 Oct, 14:12
• French PM says could declare state of emergency over unrest 'if needed'French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Monday that a state of emergency could be imposed "if needed", while adding that curfews were a better solution to the crisis over violent protests.France 24 · 19 Oct, 13:51
• French PM says could declare state of emergency over unrest 'if needed'French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Monday that a state of emergency could be imposed "if needed", while adding that curfews were a better solution to the crisis over violent protests.France 24 · 19 Oct, 13:51
• REPLAY: French PM speaks after crisis meetingFrench Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday said he had asked regional authorities to impose curfews in some cities. The measures, which he said would be "partial" and "localised", are intended to protect businesses after weekend demonstrations spilled over into street violence. Lecornu also accused the "ultra-left movement" of seeking to "orchestrate deep unrest across the country" in the runup to next year's presidential election. Watch our replay.France 24 · 19 Oct, 13:21
• French PM calls for curfews to tackle 'violent ultra-left rioters' after another night of chaosFrench Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has asked local municipalities to impose partial curfews following the ongoing civil unrest across the country. Mr Lecornu confirmed local mayors will be given the power to introduce partial curfews in an effort to protect people and shops. "The prefects will discuss this with the mayors and their local chambers of commerce and industry," he told a press conference today. France would, he confirmed, declare a state of emergency if it is deemed necessary. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Mr Lecornu also revealed furlough measures will be open from…GB News · 19 Oct, 11:54
• Live: French PM Lecornu calls for 'partial curfews' in cities hit by riots and lootingFrench Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked regional authorities to impose "partial curfews" in some cities on Monday evening as France reels from two days of unrest that saw town halls burned down and hundreds of businesses looted. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez earlier admitted that police had "lost control" of the protests in several cities, while the Yellow Vest movement called for a new round of protests on Saturday. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.France 24 · 19 Oct, 06:15

In this story: Sebastien Lecornu · Emmanuel Macron · Laurent Nuñez · France · Paris · Marseille · Limoges

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