Targeted curfews implemented across several French cities helped lead to a quieter night following a weekend marked by rioting and looting, according to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The restrictions were introduced to restore order across various urban areas.
The movement limits were put in place in parts of central Paris, covering locations such as the Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping zone. Similar measures restricting public gatherings and the movement of young people were implemented in southern cities including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, and Lyon, as well as Lille and other northern municipalities.
Prime Minister Lecornu expressed gratitude to police officers and gendarmes for managing the curfews. He noted that regional authorities and local mayors would evaluate conditions on the ground to determine whether additional curfews are required for Tuesday night.
Police Response and Escalating Demonstrations
The government’s strategy follows statements from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who previously acknowledged that law enforcement had lost control in certain areas. Nuñez offered his resignation on Monday following opposition criticism regarding police preparedness, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected the offer.
Official figures indicate that more than 2,500 individuals have been arrested since the unrest began. The clashes have resulted in significant casualties, with approximately 1,000 police officers injured and one protester losing a hand to a police crowd-control grenade, according to reports from the AFP news agency.
The unrest initially began last month as student protests over school conditions. However, the movement subsequently expanded to encompass broader social concerns, gaining additional participation from trade unions and other activist groups.
Source: BBC News
