France restores calm after violent protests as EU probes online interference

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Oct 29, 2026, 10:30 AM UTC · In the digest of 2026-10-29-1030
France restores calm after violent protests as EU probes online interference
Photo: Ziarul de Gardă

French cities reported calm following curfews after a weekend of violent protests that resulted in nearly 2,400 arrests, prompting restrictions and an EU probe into foreign online interference.

French authorities restored relative calm on Tuesday following the imposition of overnight curfews in parts of Paris and several other municipalities. The measures came after a weekend of intense cost-of-living protests that degenerated into widespread violence, arson, and looting.

According to official reports, nearly 2,400 people were detained nationwide, including over 1,000 in Paris alone. Dozens of police officers sustained injuries, while hundreds of businesses and historic buildings suffered damage. In response, President Emmanuel Macron urged local officials to ban unauthorized demonstrations, allowing only union-organized gatherings, while Lyon banned all public rallies.

Meanwhile, European Union regulators have opened an investigation into potential foreign online interference. Security officials are examining whether pro-Russian and far-right accounts systematically amplified protest footage to fuel unrest.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

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