Several French cities extended curfews on Tuesday following days of unrest marked by widespread rioting, looting, and clashes with police. The measures aim to restore order ahead of renewed protests planned for Saturday, as authorities seek to strengthen security and prevent further violence.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the localized curfews implemented in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Lille, and other cities had helped restore calm on Monday night. In Paris, curfews were maintained in key areas, including the Place de la République and Les Halles districts, where much of the previous weekend’s disturbances took place. Marseille imposed a curfew targeting unaccompanied minors in select zones, while Lyon extended its city-centered nighttime restrictions.
The unrest began on Saturday with largely peaceful demonstrations protesting deteriorating school conditions and the rising cost of living. However, the events escalated into violent episodes involving arson, vandalism, and looting that affected thousands of shops and damaged several government buildings. French authorities reported more than 3,000 shops looted and over 1,000 police officers and gendarmes injured across the country. As of Tuesday, roughly 2,400 individuals had been arrested, with about 150 already incarcerated and hundreds more facing expedited judicial proceedings.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin underscored the government's firm approach to the disturbances, noting an increased volume of convictions and immediate incarcerations. A suspect was arrested in connection with the arson attack that severely damaged Limoges city hall, an incident that sparked national attention.
Lecornu attributed much of the violence to small far-left and extreme-left groups engaging in “insurrectionary” activities, though the Prime Minister acknowledged that police deployments during the initial unrest were insufficiently dynamic and overwhelmed by the scale of the riots. To reinforce security, soldiers from the Sentinelle anti-terrorism unit have been deployed to guard sensitive sites, freeing police to focus on crowd control during upcoming demonstrations.
President Emmanuel Macron, who is not seeking re-election in the upcoming spring elections, announced efforts to alleviate energy costs by securing additional diesel supplies from the UAE and Bahrain, aiming to address some of the economic grievances fueling the protests.
French lawmakers have launched an inquiry into both the violence and the adequacy of the government’s response. The unrest has caused political tensions, with opposition parties exchanging criticisms over responsibility for the riots and the state’s ability to maintain order.
Meanwhile, neighboring Italy has also experienced protests and related violence. Following looting and clashes in Milan and other cities over the weekend, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government announced plans to deploy 500 troops to Milan and to approve tougher security measures. These include extending preventive detention for minors, cracking down on youth gangs, and banning gatherings for individuals deemed threats to public order.
Italian authorities reported that many arrested were youths, some as young as 12, without political affiliations but mobilized through social media. Businesses in Milan’s fashion district remained shuttered amid fears of further unrest, with prominent brands removing merchandise from storefronts as a precaution. Demonstrations organized by a newly formed movement called “17 October” are expected to continue weekly in Milan and other cities until the current government is challenged.
Both France and Italy face ongoing challenges in balancing public order with citizens’ protests over economic and social issues, with officials emphasizing the need for decisive security responses ahead of anticipated demonstrations.