French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has imposed partial curfews in several French cities, including parts of Paris, following unrest across the country over the weekend. The measures prohibit demonstrations and restrict access to and movement within the affected areas.
Speaking yesterday after an emergency cabinet meeting, Lecornu said he was “absolutely determined to restore public order” and had called for “local and partial” curfews where necessary. However, he stressed that a blanket curfew covering entire cities was “out of the question”. He did not rule out declaring a state of emergency, although he said partial curfews appeared “more appropriate” at this stage.
According to authorities, around 2,000 shops were extensively damaged and looted.
In Paris, a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. was imposed in Place de la République, where clashes occurred, and the Les Halles shopping district, where looting took place.
Partial curfews from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. were also announced for Monday and Tuesday nights in four cities in northern France, including Lille.
The unrest follows weeks of demonstrations by high school students, which have at times led to violent clashes with police. It comes amid growing economic pressures, just six months before crucial presidential elections.
Source: The Guardian
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