French PM orders localized curfews following widespread weekend unrest
French authorities reported calm overnight following targeted curfews imposed after widespread weekend unrest, as President Macron rejected the interior minister's resignation.
French authorities reported a return to relative calm overnight following the implementation of localized curfews across several urban areas, including parts of central Paris and Marseille. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu instructed regional prefects to enforce targeted restrictions to prevent further looting and property destruction after widespread weekend demonstrations over rising living costs and school conditions.
Lecornu attributed the unrest to "extreme-left" agitators and criminal groups, warning that emergency powers remain under consideration if violence resurfaces. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged security "failures" during the unrest, which resulted in more than 2,400 arrests, but rejected a resignation offer from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Nuñez publicly admitted that police temporarily lost control during the clashes.
Sources: BBC News, France24, Politico Europe, STV News, The Guardian.
Sources
- France24 — 🔴 Live: Macron rejects French interior minister's resignation after weekend of unrest
- STV News — Macron refuses resignation of France’s interior minister after weekend riots
- The Guardian — French PM blames ‘ultra-left’ for exploiting protests as he seeks partial curfews – Europe live
- Politico Europe (Defense) — French PM orders ‘localized’ curfews in response to looting and unrest
- BBC News — French cities calm overnight after curfews imposed to quell violence, PM says
Earlier coverage
- Oct 24, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCFrench cities calm after targeted curfews as Macron retains interior minister
- Oct 24, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCFrance imposes targeted curfews as Macron retains interior minister
- Oct 22, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCFrench cities calm following targeted curfews and thousands of arrests
- Oct 22, 2026, 12:30 PM UTCMacron rejects minister's resignation as curfews quiet French unrest
- Oct 22, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCFrench cities calm after targeted curfews imposed following weekend unrest
- Oct 21, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCFrench government imposes targeted curfews to curb ongoing unrest
- Oct 21, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCFrench prime minister orders targeted curfews following nationwide unrest
- Oct 19, 2026, 10:30 PM UTCFrench government holds crisis cabinet meeting after weekend of unrest
- Oct 19, 2026, 10:00 PM UTCFrench government faces crisis as cost-of-living protests lead to 2,400 arrests
- Oct 19, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCFrench prime minister considers curfews as Macron rejects minister's resignation