France calls for curfews amid unrest
France imposes partial curfews after violent protests over cost of living.
In brief
France imposes partial curfews after violent protests over cost of living. France's government implemented partial curfews in Paris and other cities following violent demonstrations over rising living costs that led to over 2,500 arrests and damaged properties. Originally reported by Dawn.
France announces curfews
France announced partial curfews in Paris and other cities on Monday after weekend demonstrations over soaring prices degenerated into violent street clashes.
Prime Minister Lecornu
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated he was 'absolutely determined to restore public order' following the interior minister's claim police had 'lost control'.
Louvre blocked
Tourists in Paris found the Louvre closed due to a small group of student protesters blocking its entrance near the glass pyramid.
Violence escalates
Violence erupted as masked groups attacked law enforcement, broke into public buildings, looted shops, and set fires to cars, bicycles, and scooters across France.
Arrests and injuries
More than 2,500 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 security forces injured during the weekend violence, with one demonstrator's hand blown off by a police crowd-control grenade.
Government response
The government vowed to re-establish order while officials scrambled to contain public anger, with Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin reporting 67 jailed and dozens of criminal cases opened.
EU and international reactions
The European Union called the violence 'unacceptable' but warned the right to peaceful protest must be protected in France, while Germany updated travel advice for France.
Protesters' demands
Protesters demanded better school conditions for students and government action on the high cost of living, with some half a million people turning out across France on Saturday.
Interior minister resigns
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez offered his resignation after the weekend violence, but President Emmanuel Macron refused to accept it.
Economic impact
At least 3,000 shops were damaged, with the cost running into hundreds of millions of euros, as authorities used facial recognition on social media to identify perpetrators.
Political context
The unrest flared just six months before France elects a new president after a decade of centrist Emmanuel Macron, with Marine Le Pen riding high in the polls.
Government claims
The government accused ultra-left groups of stoking violence to boost far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon's chances in the presidential polls.
International protests
Demonstrations over rising prices broke out in Milan, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, with protesters setting up tents in Madrid and Lisbon to denounce housing costs.
Curfew details
Partial curfews were enforced from Monday evening to Tuesday morning in Paris, Lille, and Lyon, with Paris curfew starting at 11pm and demonstrations banned from 8pm.
Next steps
Organisers called for a new round of protests next Saturday, as the government faced accusations of failing to anticipate and respond to the violence.
Here's the gist
France's government implemented partial curfews in Paris and other cities following violent demonstrations over rising living costs that led to over 2,500 arrests and damaged properties.
