France imposes curfews in parts of Paris, other cities after weekend of riots
France Imposes Curfews in Parts of Paris After Riots
Bdbusinessdaily.com – France imposes curfews in parts of Paris and other cities after a weekend of riots, looting and clashes linked to nationwide anti-government protests. Authorities announced targeted overnight restrictions in Paris, Lille and Nice, while Marseille banned public gatherings and demonstrations.
The unrest has increased pressure on the government six months before France’s next presidential election. It has also raised fresh concerns about public security as the administration faces a weak economy and rising public debt.
Targeted Restrictions in Paris and Other Cities
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said a citywide curfew for Paris was not necessary at this stage, arguing that limited measures in sensitive areas were more appropriate. However, he did not rule out declaring a state of emergency.
“My determination to restore order is absolute,” Lecornu told reporters.
Police banned demonstrations in selected areas of Paris from 8pm, or 1800 GMT. A separate overnight restriction around Place de la Republique and Les Halles was scheduled from 11pm to 6am on Tuesday.
Police officers were deployed to enforce the measures. The decision to impose curfews in parts of Paris reflected the government’s effort to focus security controls on locations considered vulnerable to renewed unrest instead of limiting movement across the entire capital.
In northern France, mayors agreed to impose curfews for minors in Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain. Those restrictions were due to run from 8pm to 6am for two days.
Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti said he had signed an order introducing an overnight curfew for minors in central Nice. In Marseille, authorities prohibited public assemblies and protests.
Arrests, Injuries and Damage to Businesses
The violence followed weeks of student demonstrations and intensified over the weekend, when looting and clashes broke out between some protesters and police. According to Interior Ministry figures, about 2,400 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 officers were injured.
One protester died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Saturday. The Federation of Trade and Retail said almost 3,000 shops were affected during the weekend and called for tax and social-security relief for businesses dealing with losses.
“Behind every ransacked shop are business owners, employees and families who have seen years of work and effort wiped out in a matter of hours,” the federation said.
Gerard Nouchi, who runs two clothing stores in Marseille, described the destruction outside a boarded-up shopfront. He said police numbers had not been sufficient to stop looters.
“They trashed everything, broke things, insulted us,” Nouchi said. “It was like a real tornado.”
Lecornu said furlough support would be available from Tuesday for affected workers and businesses. Junior Digital Minister Anne Le Hénanff also said online platforms used to sell stolen goods had been instructed to remove listings and cooperate with efforts to prosecute resellers.
Political Tensions Deepen Before Election
Lecornu blamed far-left groups for contributing to some of the most serious disorder seen in France in recent years. He said elements on the far left were attempting to create instability before the presidential election.
“There is, after all, a far-left movement that wants to cause — we can’t put it any more strongly — profound unrest in the country in the run-up to the presidential election,” Lecornu said.
Hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon challenged the prime minister to provide evidence for the allegation.
“Otherwise, he should apologise, keep quiet and stop fanning the flames of unrest,” Melenchon wrote on X.
President Emmanuel Macron declined Interior Minister Laurent Nunez’s offer to resign. Macron instead asked him to end the barricades and looting and explain what the president described as failures in intelligence and foresight.
Nunez said Tuesday evening’s Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona would go ahead as planned despite the heightened security situation in the capital.
Economic Pressure and Public Safety Concerns
French assets lagged broader European markets on Monday, though the reaction was less severe than during earlier periods of political tension. Investors are watching whether the unrest and the decision to impose curfews in parts of Paris will make it harder for Macron’s fragile government to pass a budget intended to improve France’s finances.
FAQ: Curfews in France
Where are the curfews being imposed?
Restrictions were announced in selected areas of Paris, as well as for minors in Lille, Douai, Wattignies, Denain and central Nice.
What areas of Paris are affected?
Demonstrations were barred in selected parts of Paris from 8pm, while the area around Place de la Republique and Les Halles faced an overnight restriction from 11pm to 6am on Tuesday.
Why did France introduce these measures?
The restrictions followed a weekend of looting, riots and confrontations after weeks of student demonstrations and wider anti-government protests.