France introduces partial curfews in Paris and other cities after riots
In short
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered prefects on 19 October to introduce partial curfews in central districts of some cities after riots that followed the 17 October cost-of-living protests. Curfews were set in four towns in the Nord department and, from 22:00 to 6:00, around Place de la République and Les Halles in Paris. On 20 October Lecornu said the measure had made the night calmer, and curfews were announced again in central Paris that evening.
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French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered prefects on 19 October to introduce a partial curfew in the central districts of some cities. He said on air that it would be partial, and that the restrictions would start that evening. Vedomosti, citing TF1, and Interfax, citing BFMTV, reported the announcement, which TASS said followed a crisis staff meeting. Kommersant described the curfew as local and partial and said its aim was to avoid new damage to shops and other sites; Meduza said the main goal was to protect shops from looters. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Lecornu said the curfew would not apply everywhere. According to Interfax, he said that even in Paris such measures would not be introduced across the city, as there would be no sense in it. Kommersant, Interfax and Meduza reported that the list or map of affected zones would be published later on 19 October. Interfax added that Bruno Retailleau, a presidential candidate of The Republicans, had called for a state of emergency; Lecornu said it would be introduced if necessary but that he saw a curfew as the more suitable measure for now. [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]
TASS reported that the Nord prefecture, in agreement with the mayors, set a curfew in Lille, Wattignies, Douai and Denain. In Paris, RBC reported, citing BFMTV and Paris elected representatives, that a curfew from 22:00 to 6:00 would apply on Place de la République and the streets around the Les Halles shopping complex. TASS, RIA Novosti and Interfax also reported the Paris curfew. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]
On 20 October TASS and RBC reported Lecornu as saying the earlier curfews had helped make the night calmer. According to RBC, prefects would define new curfew zones on the evening of 20 October depending on the situation, and decisions would be agreed with mayors. That evening TASS, citing BFMTV, reported that a curfew was imposed in Paris again because of the threat of disorder, starting an hour later. RBC, citing AFP, said Paris police announced it for a second day in a row in the two districts around Place de la République and Les Halles. [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]
The curfews followed nationwide protests on 17 October against rising living costs, which Kommersant and Interfax said turned into riots in many places. Vedomosti reported that on 18 October Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said more than 2,000 people had been detained and more than 600 police, gendarmes and firefighters injured, and that President Emmanuel Macron called the looting a revolt of the ultra-left and criminals. Turnout is given differently: RIA Novosti says 550,000, while Vedomosti says about 800,000 were reported on 17 October. Interfax cited the commerce ministry as saying at least 3,000 shops were looted or vandalised; Interfax also said Lecornu pledged to unblock funds to support affected traders. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The curfews are the government's response to riots that the outlets say damaged thousands of shops. Lecornu said a state of emergency could follow if necessary, and new curfew zones were to be set according to the situation.
Key facts
- On 19 October Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered prefects to introduce a partial curfew in central districts of some cities, starting that evening. [ 1 , 4 , 6 ]
- Lecornu said the curfew would not be general, including in Paris, and was meant to protect shops and other property from looters. [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The Nord prefecture, with the mayors of Lille, Wattignies, Douai and Denain, set a curfew in those four cities. [ 8 ]
- In Paris a curfew from 22:00 to 6:00 covered Place de la République and streets around Les Halles, BFMTV reported, citing Paris elected representatives. [ 10 , 12 ]
- On 20 October Lecornu said the earlier curfews had helped make the night calmer, and prefects were to define new zones that evening with mayors. [ 13 , 14 ]
- Paris police announced a curfew again on 20 October in two central districts, around Place de la République and Les Halles, AFP reported. [ 17 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Lecornu ordered a partial curfew in some French cities on 19 October after the riots. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- A curfew was introduced in central Paris, at Place de la République and around Les Halles, on the evening of 19 October. [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]
- Lecornu said the earlier curfews had made the night calmer, and further curfews followed on 20 October in Paris. [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 ]
Still unclear
- Number of people who took part in the 17 October protests. RIA Novosti gives 550,000, while Vedomosti says about 800,000 were reported on 17 October.
- Hours of the second night's curfew in Paris. TASS, citing BFMTV, says it began an hour later than the night before; the documents give no exact hours for 20 October.
- Whether a state of emergency will be introduced. Interfax says Lecornu stated it would be introduced if necessary but that he considered a curfew more suitable for now.
- Lecornu's view that the ultra-left movement wants disorder lasting until the spring 2027 presidential election. Only Interfax reports this, as the prime minister's opinion.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported on 18 October more than 2,000 detentions and more than 600 injured police, gendarmes and firefighters. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 19 October RIA Novosti reported that Lecornu had ordered a partial curfew in central districts of some cities, starting that evening. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reported that prefects were told to introduce curfews overnight into 20 October, with the list of locations due by the end of the day. [ 6 ]
- TASS reported a curfew in Lille, Wattignies, Douai and Denain, decided by the Nord prefecture with the mayors. [ 8 ]
- RBC, citing BFMTV, reported a curfew from 22:00 to 6:00 around Place de la République and Les Halles in Paris. [ 10 ]
- On 20 October TASS reported Lecornu saying the targeted curfews had helped keep the night calm. [ 13 ]
- RBC reported that prefects would set new curfew zones on the evening of 20 October, depending on the situation. [ 14 ]
- TASS, citing BFMTV, reported a curfew in Paris again, starting an hour later. [ 16 ]
- RBC, citing AFP, reported that Paris police announced a curfew for a second day in two central districts. [ 17 ]