France imposes partial curfews in Paris and other cities after violent unrest
In short
French Prime Minister Lecornu said on 19 October that the government was launching large-scale judicial action over recent violence and asked prefects to impose partial curfews from that night. Curfews took effect in parts of Paris and in four towns in the Nord department, and China News Service reported more in Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon. On 20 October the prime minister said curfews would apply tonight in all necessary areas, to be decided by local authorities.
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French Prime Minister Lecornu said on 19 October, after a cross-ministry crisis meeting, that the government was launching large-scale judicial action to hold those involved in recent violent incidents to account. He asked prefects to impose partial curfews in some areas from that night. He said the disorder was concentrated in city centres and that curfews would be applied according to circumstances, possibly over small areas. [ 1 , 3 ]
The prime minister's office announced that, with the mayors' agreement, four towns in the Nord department, Lille, Douai, Denan (德南) and Wadini (瓦蒂尼), would have curfews on Monday and Tuesday from 20:00 to 06:00 each night. The Nord prefecture said the measures were still being finalised and would cover parts of those towns. [ 5 , 8 ]
The Paris police prefecture then announced a curfew in some Paris districts from 23:00 on Monday to 06:00 on Tuesday. Demonstrations were banned in parts of Paris from 20:00 on Monday to 06:00 on Tuesday. [ 5 , 8 ]
China News Service, reporting from Paris, said the curfew areas included Place de la République. Its reporter saw large numbers of police patrolling, controlling the main entrances and managing the flow of people, and police used loudspeakers to warn people of the coming curfew. Several metro stations in central Paris were closed, affecting several lines. [ 9 ]
The agency also reported that Nice's mayor, named as Ciotti (西奥蒂), announced a curfew from that night lasting several days and applying only to some minors, and that Bordeaux and Lyon had also issued partial curfews. It said Lecornu asked local prefectures to impose curfews according to the situation and said a state of emergency could be declared if necessary. [ 9 ]
According to the same report, Interior Minister Nuñez visited Marseille on 19 October and said police deployment there would be strengthened. French media reported that he had offered his resignation after the large protests of 17 October, which President Macron did not accept. The 17 October protests involved hundreds of thousands of people and included violent clashes in several places, including Place de la République in Paris. [ 9 ]
On 20 October Lecornu said curfews would be imposed tonight in all necessary areas, with decisions made by local authorities according to the actual situation. [ 10 ]
Why it matters
The curfews and the ban on gatherings show the government using local security restrictions in response to the violence that followed the mass protests of 17 October. China News Service reported that the prime minister said a national state of emergency could be declared if necessary.
Key facts
- After a cross-ministry crisis meeting on 19 October, Prime Minister Lecornu said the government was launching large-scale judicial action to hold those involved in recent violent incidents to account. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Lecornu asked prefects to impose partial curfews in some areas from the night of 19 October, saying the disorder was mainly in city centres and that curfews might cover small areas. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The prime minister's office said that, with the mayors' agreement, four towns in the Nord department (Lille, Douai, Denan (德南) and Wadini (瓦蒂尼)) would have curfews on Monday and Tuesday from 20:00 to 06:00 each night. [ 5 , 8 ]
- The Paris police prefecture announced a curfew in parts of Paris from 23:00 on Monday to 06:00 on Tuesday, and a ban on demonstrations in parts of Paris from 20:00 to 06:00. [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- China News Service reported that several Paris metro stations were closed because of the curfew and that many police were patrolling Place de la République. [ 9 ]
- On 20 October Lecornu said curfews would be imposed tonight in all necessary areas, with decisions made by local authorities according to the situation. [ 10 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Partial curfews were announced for parts of Paris and for four towns in the Nord department: Lille, Douai, Denan (德南) and Wadini (瓦蒂尼). [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- Lecornu announced large-scale judicial action over recent violence and asked prefects to impose partial curfews from the night of 19 October. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How far the curfews extend beyond Paris and the Nord towns. China News Service reported curfews in Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon, but no other document mentions them; the Nord prefecture said its measures were still being finalised.
- Whether a national state of emergency will be declared. Only China News Service reported that Lecornu said it could be declared if necessary.
- Whether Interior Minister Nuñez has offered to resign. China News Service attributed this to French media: he submitted his resignation after the 17 October protests and President Macron did not accept it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reported Lecornu's call for partial curfews from that night and for large-scale judicial action. [ 1 ]
- Curfews in the Nord towns and the ban on demonstrations in parts of Paris were due to begin. [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- The curfew in parts of Paris was due to begin, lasting until 06:00. [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- CLS reported the Nord towns and the Paris curfew. [ 5 ]
- CLS reported Lecornu saying curfews would be imposed tonight in all necessary areas. [ 10 ]