French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says targeted curfews helped restore calm across the country after a weekend of riots and looting.
Curfews were imposed in parts of central Paris, including Place de la République, where protesters gathered over the weekend, and the Les Halles shopping area.
Restrictions on young people’s movement and public gatherings were also introduced in Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon in the south, as well as Lille and other northern towns.
Lecornu thanked police officers and gendarmes for enforcing the measures. He said decisions on further curfews for Tuesday night would depend on where they were needed.
In a post on X, the prime minister said French regions and local mayors would make decisions “on the ground.”
Earlier, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted that police had “lost control” in some cities.
Nuñez faced strong criticism from opposition politicians over the authorities’ preparedness for the unrest. He offered his resignation on Monday, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected it.
More than 2,500 people have been arrested since the disorder began, officials said.
One demonstrator had a hand blown off by a police crowd-control grenade, according to reports. About 1,000 police officers were injured.
The protests began last month, with students demanding better conditions in schools. They have since expanded to include wider concerns, with trade unions and various protest groups joining the demonstrations.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
