French PM asks prefects for night curfews after riots; Paris and other cities act
In short
French Prime Minister Lecornu (ルコルニュ) said on 19 October that he had asked prefects to impose night curfews in some areas after cost-of-living protests turned violent in places. Authorities then put curfews in parts of Paris, Lille, Lyon and Nice, and Justice Minister Darmanin said 2,513 people had been detained nationwide.
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French Prime Minister Lecornu said on 19 October that he had asked prefects to order night curfews in some areas that night. He said the aim was to prevent riots and looting after protests against rising living costs turned violent in places. Nippon TV reported that the area covered would be settled in talks with the mayors concerned. TBS reported that each prefect would decide whether to issue an order, and that the stated purpose was to protect shops and property. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
Curfews were then put in place. Kyodo reported that the Paris police prefecture imposed a curfew in some districts of Paris on 19 October, and that central areas of Lille and three other northern cities, Lyon and Nice were also covered. Nikkei reported that Lecornu, who asked the prefects to act, said he would restore public order. Jiji Press said the measures covered limited zones. [ 9 , 10 , 13 ]
Justice Minister Darmanin said on 19 October that 2,513 people had been detained across the country in connection with the riots, Kyodo reported. A Yahoo! News Japan image caption cited about 2,400 detained. [ 5 , 13 , 14 ]
On 19 October the presidential office said Interior Minister Nuñez had offered to resign and President Macron had refused. Macron said Nuñez should stay to keep the command of police and security forces in place, and he called for quick action against looters. TBS reported that Lecornu said a large investigation would identify looters from images and videos posted on social media, and that relief such as compensation for damaged shops was under consideration. Tokyo Shimbun's headline quoted Macron as saying those involved would pay a price. [ 3 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
Mainichi reported that Macron spoke at the Élysée on 18 October, saying 'we feel anger and shame' and that a far-left faction had joined with criminals in violence that nothing could justify. He said he understood the demonstrators' grievances but gave no specific measures. Mainichi said about 550,000 people took part in protests on 17 October and, citing French media, that a minister said more than 3,000 shops had been damaged. The National Rally's leader, Bardella, criticised the government on X. [ 4 ]
Kyodo said the riots were showing signs of calming, but high school students and unions demanding better schooling and measures against high prices plan to continue protesting, and the government is wary of renewed violence. [ 13 ]
Why it matters
The curfews restrict movement in several major cities as the government tries to stop a renewed outbreak of violence. Kyodo reported that high school students and unions plan to continue their protests, and that the government is wary of a flare-up.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Lecornu said on 19 October that he had asked prefects to order night curfews in some areas that night to prevent riots and looting. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- The request followed weekend protests against rising living costs in which some participants turned violent; TBS said the nationwide protests took place on 17 October. [ 3 , 5 , 7 ]
- The Paris police prefecture imposed a curfew in some districts of Paris on 19 October; curfews also covered central areas of Lille and three other northern cities, Lyon and Nice, according to Kyodo. [ 13 ]
- Justice Minister Darmanin said on 19 October that 2,513 people had been detained across the country in connection with the riots. [ 13 , 14 ]
- The presidential office said Interior Minister Nuñez offered to resign and President Macron refused. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Lecornu said he would act to restore public order, according to Nikkei. [ 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Lecornu asked prefects to order curfews in limited areas after protests against rising living costs turned violent. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Curfews were put in place on 19 October in parts of Paris and other French cities. [ 6 , 9 , 10 , 13 ]
- Darmanin said 2,513 people had been detained nationwide in connection with the riots. [ 13 , 14 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Nuñez will stay on as interior minister. Only the presidential office's account, carried in the Nippon TV and Yahoo! News Japan texts, says he offered to resign and Macron refused; Macron said he should stay to keep the police and security command in place.
- The number of people detained. A Yahoo! News Japan image caption gave about 2,400 detained, while Kyodo's report of Darmanin's statement gave 2,513.
- Whether the unrest is ending. Kyodo said the riots showed signs of calming, but high school students and unions plan to continue protests and the government fears renewed violence.
- The number of shops damaged. Mainichi, citing French media, reported that a minister said more than 3,000 shops were hit; no other document gives this figure.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Jiji Press reported that the prime minister had ordered curfews in some cities (19 October). [ 1 ]
- Nippon TV reported Lecornu's request to prefects and the presidential office's statement on Nuñez's resignation offer (19 October). [ 3 ]
- Mainichi reported Macron's speech on 18 October and the request for curfews (19 October). [ 4 ]
- NHK reported that curfews were issued in some cities on 19 October (20 October). [ 6 ]
- Nikkei reported that authorities issued curfews in parts of Paris and other cities (20 October). [ 9 ]
- Kyodo reported the curfews in Paris, Lille, Lyon and Nice and 2,513 detentions (20 October). [ 13 ]