French authorities set partial curfews in Paris, Lille and Nice on Monday after a weekend of riots and looting during nationwide anti-government protests. The government faces pressure over security failings, six months before the next presidential election.
French authorities set curfews in parts of several cities on Monday, including Paris, Lille and Nice, after a weekend of riots and looting that stemmed from nationwide anti-government protests. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu had ruled out a blanket curfew in Paris but not a state of emergency, and said partial, localised curfews were more appropriate for now.
According to Reuters, Lecornu told reporters: "My determination to restore order is absolute,"
Curfews spread across several cities
Paris police barred protests in certain areas from 8 p.m. and set a curfew around the Place de la Republique and Les Halles from 11:00 p.m. Both stay in effect until 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
A source in Lecornu's office said a curfew for minors would run between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for two days in Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain. In Nice, mayor Eric Ciotti said he had signed an order for an overnight curfew for minors in the centre. Marseille banned gatherings and demonstrations.
Damage and arrests
The Interior Ministry said some 2,400 people were arrested and nearly 1,000 officers were injured, and one protester died from a cardiac arrest on Saturday. The Federation of Trade and Retail said almost 3,000 shops had been affected over the weekend.
Lecornu blamed far-left groups for some of France's worst unrest in years. However, hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon urged him to provide evidence.
Pressure on Macron's government
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said France deployed 60,000 police and other security forces on Saturday, but acknowledged that was not enough to control violent crowds. Macron's office said he turned down Nunez's offer to resign and told him to end the barricades and looting.
On Monday, French assets were underperforming broader European markets, though moves were more contained than at some other moments of recent political friction. Tensions over apparent security shortcomings could further unsettle investors as the government needs to pass a budget bill.
Unions meanwhile called for a new round of strikes and rallies on November 5.
Source: Reuters via Investing.com
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