Politics · France · 1 hr ago
France plans curfews and business aid after widespread violence
On Saturday, 17 October, violence and looting hit several French cities alongside demonstrations and union marches.
Public buildings and shops were attacked, and a fire badly damaged Limoges city hall.
The reported toll included more than 2,300 arrests and nearly 1,000 injured officers, with figures still being checked.
The government acknowledged failures in its handling of public order, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said he had offered to resign; President Emmanuel Macron turned down the offer.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered some local curfews and promised business support, as well as a large-scale legal response.
The government says the curfews will apply in some city centres, and part-time work measures and a specific fund for affected businesses were due to begin on Tuesday.
France’s government ordered partial curfews and announced business aid after widespread violence and looting in several cities.
Curfews came into effect in Paris, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon as police sought to curb looting during protests.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also promised a large-scale criminal justice response and partial unemployment measures for businesses from Tuesday.
The violence on Saturday, October 17, left more than 2,300 people arrested, nearly 1,000 security forces members injured and at least 3,000 businesses damaged or looted.
The government acknowledged failures in its handling of public order, while mayors and political figures criticized its response.
- Who
- The French government, led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, announced the measures.
- What
- The government ordered partial curfews and promised business aid and a large-scale criminal justice response after violence and looting.
- When
- The measures were announced on Monday, October 19, after violence on Saturday, October 17.
- Where
- Across France, including Paris, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon.
- Why
- To respond to widespread violence, looting and damage during protests.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Violence and looting took place in several French cities during protests and union marches.
Violence and looting resumed, including in Paris.
Lecornu announced plans for partial curfews, a criminal justice response and business support.
Partial unemployment measures for affected businesses were due to begin.
- Arrests
- More than 2,300
- Security forces injured
- Nearly 1,000
- Businesses damaged or looted
- At least 3,000
- Cities with curfews in effect
- Paris, Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon
- Business support
- Partial unemployment measures from Tuesday and a specific support fund for affected businesses
3 sources
"Encore six mois à tenir, c'est long" : dans les couloirs du pouvoir, les violences du 17 octobre laissent un goût d'"impuissance" et d'"inquiétude"
Live: Curfews come into effect around France to combat looting
EN IMAGES. Violences du 17 octobre : Paris, Cannes, Brest… Plusieurs rassemblements organisés devant les mairies
What people are saying
We have unquestionably failed this weekend.
given the damage that has occurred
We have a mess, to put it plainly, that is very organised in urban centres.
Those who sought to bring down the Republic will have to answer for it.
Posts on X
Monsieur le Président, Je vous ai écouté ce soir. En tant que maire et en tant que citoyen consterné et inquiet des évènements actuels. J’ai entendu vos commentaires, vos souhaits et une volonté louable de rétablir le dialogue. J’aurais préféré, comme des millions de