Macron rejects minister's resignation as curfews quiet French unrest
French cities experienced a calmer night after targeted curfews were imposed following widespread riots, while President Macron rejected his interior minister's resignation.
Targeted curfews helped restore calm across French cities following a weekend of widespread violent unrest and looting, according to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Localized restrictions were deployed in designated urban areas, including parts of central Paris, after demonstrations over living costs and educational conditions turned violent.
President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged security "failures" during the crisis but refused the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Nuñez admitted law enforcement briefly "lost control" as clashes led to over 2,400 arrests nationwide, alongside significant damage to municipal buildings and commercial property.
Government officials attributed much of the destruction to criminal groups and extreme-left agitators. Prime Minister Lecornu indicated that further emergency measures remain possible if violence re-emerges.
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 24, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCFrench PM orders localized curfews following widespread weekend unrest
- Oct 22, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCFrench cities calm following targeted curfews and thousands of arrests
- 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