France considers targeted curfews after weekend violence and looting

14:07

By: Azzat Manal

France considers targeted curfews after weekend violence and looting

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has instructed regional authorities to prepare targeted curfews in areas affected by recent violence and looting, as the government seeks to restore order and protect businesses following a weekend of unrest in several French cities. The proposed restrictions are expected to be limited in both duration and geographical scope, with a particular focus on safeguarding shops and commercial property.

Speaking after a joint ministerial crisis meeting, Lecornu said prefects had been asked to consult local mayors before deciding where the measures would apply. Further details, including the locations concerned, were expected to be announced later on Monday. The government is weighing the curfews as a more proportionate response than declaring a nationwide state of emergency, although Lecornu said emergency powers could still be considered if the situation required them.

The prime minister stressed that the disorder was not affecting the entire country equally, explaining that the most serious incidents appeared concentrated in urban centres. He said the restrictions were intended to protect both residents and property, particularly businesses that had suffered damage during the unrest. Consultations are also expected to involve chambers of commerce and industry to assess the needs of affected communities.

According to Trade and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Minister Serge Papin, at least 3,000 shops have reportedly been damaged. Lecornu said affected businesses would have access to a dedicated support fund and measures related to partial unemployment, which could help employers retain staff while recovering from the financial consequences of the violence.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced additional measures aimed at limiting the movement of people involved in vandalism and looting. He said police and gendarmerie deployments would be strengthened, particularly ahead of the coming weekend, as authorities seek to prevent further incidents and reassure residents and business owners.

Nuñez, whose resignation was reportedly rejected by President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, also addressed concerns about upcoming public events. He ruled out cancelling or postponing football fixtures at this stage, including the scheduled match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona on Tuesday.

The unrest has also intensified political tensions. Lecornu accused the radical left of seeking to provoke prolonged instability ahead of France’s next presidential election. He warned that organised networks could attempt to disrupt the political process or challenge the established electoral timetable. The prime minister said he would hold a dedicated meeting with the interior minister and intelligence services to examine the potential risks.

Meanwhile, leaders of the far-right National Rally, including party president Jordan Bardella and parliamentary group leader Marine Le Pen, were reportedly reluctant to attend an upcoming meeting of party leaders at the prime minister’s office. Lecornu urged them to reconsider, arguing that the security of the presidential campaign would be an important issue on the agenda.

The government now faces the challenge of containing the unrest without imposing unnecessarily broad restrictions on everyday life. The effectiveness of the proposed curfews will depend on how precisely they are targeted, how local authorities implement them and whether additional policing and support for damaged businesses can prevent further violence.