France imposes partial curfews after weekend riots and looting

· Politics · France

France announced partial curfews in parts of Paris and several cities after weekend protests over the cost of living and education funding descended into some of the country's worst violence in years. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said prefects would impose curfews in localised urban areas and accused the "ultra-left" of seeking deep unrest ahead of next year's presidential election. The interior minister conceded police "lost control" in some cities. Officials said 2,400 people were arrested nationwide; in Marseille shop owners reported more than 600 premises looted. President Emmanuel Macron criticised "unbridled violence," noted his government's failures and declined his interior minister's offer to resign, asking him instead to impose new operational methods on security forces.

Why it matters：The unrest exposes how spending pressures and weak public order control are destabilising one of Europe's largest economies before a pivotal election.

Key points

  • Curfews were ordered in parts of central Paris and in cities including Lille
  • About 2,400 arrests were made nationwide during the weekend protests
  • The Louvre was blockaded by protesters supporting the student movement

Sources (original reporting)

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