France imposes local curfews after weekend unrest and looting

Paris, France. French authorities introduced local curfews on Monday in several cities, including Paris, Lille and Nice, following riots and looting linked to nationwide anti-government demonstrations. The measures came amid pressure on authorities over security shortcomings.

Restrictions in Paris and other cities

Paris police announced that demonstrations would be prohibited in designated areas from 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), while a curfew would begin at 11:00 p.m. around Place de la Republique and Les Halles. Both restrictions were to expire on Tuesday at 6 a.m.

“A police deployment is in place to ensure strict compliance with these measures,” police said in a statement.

An official in Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s office said minors in Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain would face curfews from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. over the following two days. The local mayors had agreed to the measures.

Nice mayor Eric Ciotti said in an online video that he had signed an order placing minors under an overnight curfew in the city centre. Marseille prohibited demonstrations and gatherings.

Government response and further protests

Lecornu had rejected a citywide curfew for Paris, while leaving open the possibility of declaring an emergency. He said targeted local restrictions were the more appropriate response at that stage and told reporters he was fully determined to re-establish order.

He attributed some of the unrest, among the worst France had experienced in years, to far-left groups. Lecornu said a far-left movement sought to create deep disruption ahead of the presidential election.

The weekend’s looting and clashes involving some demonstrators and police came after weeks of student protests. The unrest shook France with its next presidential election six months away, underscoring strains associated with economic weakness and rapidly increasing debt.

French unions, meanwhile, called for further strikes and demonstrations on November 5.