French authorities have imposed overnight curfews in parts of Paris and several other cities following a weekend of riots, looting and arson that left hundreds of police officers injured and businesses facing extensive damage.
More than 2,500 people have been arrested, officials said, as the government seeks to restore order following demonstrations that have expanded from student protests into wider public anger over rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services.
Curfews imposed in Paris and other cities
Paris police announced a curfew from 23:00 to 06:00 local time in Place de la République, where protesters had gathered over the weekend, and the Les Halles shopping district.
Authorities have also banned unauthorised gatherings in several other parts of central Paris.
Partial curfews restricting young people’s movements or public gatherings have been introduced in cities including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Lille, as well as other towns.
Following a crisis meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said local mayors would be empowered to introduce curfews where necessary. He did not specify which additional cities would be affected.
More than 2,500 arrested as violence escalates
The unrest has resulted in widespread damage and injuries. According to officials, more than 2,500 people have been arrested, while around 1,000 police officers have been injured.
The AFP news agency reported that one demonstrator lost a hand after being struck by a police crowd-control grenade.
Groups of rioters, some wearing black clothing, masks and balaclavas, were seen setting fire to vehicles and buildings and looting businesses in Paris, Marseille and other urban centres.
In Limoges, a fire started by rioters on Saturday gutted the city’s ornate 19th-century town hall. The building’s clock tower and roof collapsed as the flames spread.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 200 investigators were examining CCTV footage in an effort to identify suspected ringleaders.
Government threatens legal action over damage
Lecornu said the government would allocate funding to help affected areas recover, with the costs subsequently recovered from those responsible for the violence.
“There will be a law that will be put in place to find ways of making sure that those who have damaged properties will have to pay,” he said.
The prime minister also announced a partial unemployment fund for people unable to work because of the riots and looting.
He did not rule out declaring a state of emergency.
More than 2,000 shops and other businesses have been directly affected, according to Alain Di Crescenzo, head of France’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Di Crescenzo told French broadcaster RTL that the damage was estimated at hundreds of millions of euros.
Jean-Luc Chauvin, head of the chamber’s Marseille branch, told the BBC that many shop owners in the city were in deep distress and feared for the survival of their businesses.
Interior minister faces criticism over security failures
Nuñez has faced strong criticism from opposition politicians over the authorities’ preparedness for the unrest.
He attempted to resign on Sunday, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected his resignation, citing the need for continuity in law enforcement leadership, according to a statement from the Élysée Palace.
The statement also called for transparency over what Macron described as intelligence and foresight failures.
The protests began last month, when students called for better school conditions. They have since broadened to include concerns over fuel prices, living costs and public services, drawing support from trade unions and other protest groups.
Around 550,000 people took part in demonstrations over the weekend, according to the figures provided in the report.
Online platforms target listings linked to looting
French ministers have also warned that goods stolen during the unrest have appeared on online selling platforms.
Vinted said selling or soliciting stolen goods was strictly prohibited. The company added that it had taken immediate action to identify and remove listings linked to the looting and had increased monitoring of suspicious activity.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in France has advised American citizens to avoid areas affected by the demonstrations and exercise caution near large gatherings. China and Germany have issued similar warnings.
Political tensions rise ahead of presidential election
The unrest has also triggered a political dispute over responsibility for the violence.
Some politicians have accused the left-wing La France Insoumise party of contributing to the disorder. Lecornu alleged that some groups wanted to create chaos in France ahead of the presidential elections.
Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who plans to stand in next year’s presidential election, demanded that the prime minister provide evidence for his accusation or apologise.
As curfews take effect and investigations continue, the government faces mounting pressure to restore public order while addressing the damage suffered by communities and businesses across the country.
Also read: EU calls on France to uphold the right to peaceful protest
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