French prime minister orders targeted curfews following nationwide unrest
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered localized curfews across France after weekend protests over living costs led to severe rioting and over 2,400 arrests.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu instructed local authorities to implement "partial curfews" across targeted urban areas, including parts of central Paris, following a weekend of widespread rioting and looting. Lecornu attributed the violence to criminal groups and the "ultra-left," stating the targeted measures aim to "protect people, as well as property and businesses."
The move followed a calmer night reported across several French cities after movement restrictions took effect. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron criticized security "failures" but rejected the resignation offer of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who acknowledged police "lost control" during peak disorder. Over 2,400 people have been arrested since nationwide demonstrations over living costs began.
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 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 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
- Oct 19, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCMacron condemns 'unbridled violence' as France assesses protest fallout
- Oct 19, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCFrench government holds crisis meeting following weekend of violent protests
- Oct 18, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCMacron calls for calm after violent cost-of-living protests sweep France
- Oct 18, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCFrance faces civil unrest as cost of living protests turn violent