French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has authorised some cities to impose partial curfews following a weekend of violent protests, looting and arrests across the country.
Lecornu said the measures were intended to protect residents and businesses after demonstrations left shops damaged and commercial activities disrupted.
The decision follows a weekend of unrest that saw more than 500,000 people take to the streets on Saturday. On Sunday, police arrested more than 350 people in Paris alone, while at least five shops were looted.
The head of France’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry said about 2,000 businesses had been directly affected by the demonstrations.
Lecornu said the government was seeking to understand the causes of the violence, adding that people wanted to know “how this violence came about in our country”.
Earlier, France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police had “lost control” during the unrest.
Nuñez also acknowledged a “lack of anticipation” by officers. His offer to resign was rejected by President Emmanuel Macron.
The protests began last month, with students demonstrating against conditions in schools. However, the movement has since expanded to encompass a broader range of grievances.
Lecornu blamed what he described as “ultra-left radical groups” for leading the movement, accusing them of seeking to “create chaos” ahead of France’s 2027 presidential elections.
The government’s decision to allow partial curfews gives local authorities additional powers to respond to the unrest and protect people and businesses as tensions continue.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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