Paris: Following violent protests and looting in France, the government has decided to impose new curfews in different areas as needed. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday that curfews will be imposed in areas where the situation demands. He said that the curfews imposed in several cities on Monday helped maintain calm during the night.
Lecornu also thanked the police, gendarmerie, and prefects for their deployment. Prefects serve as representatives of the central government in France.
The Prime Minister wrote on the social media platform X, “The curfew imposed in targeted areas helped maintain peace last night. I thank the police officers and gendarmerie personnel who ensured their enforcement, as well as the prefects who carried out their duties. Tonight, a decision will be made on imposing new curfews in areas where the situation demands it. These decisions will be taken locally by prefects in coordination with mayors.”
Curfew imposed in two areas of Paris
A curfew was imposed in parts of the French capital, Paris, from 11 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday. According to a France 24 report, the restrictions were imposed in two areas where incidents of looting occurred over the weekend. These include Republic Square and the Château-les-Allès area in central-eastern Paris.
The administration also banned public gatherings in these two areas from 8 p.m. Monday.
Restrictions also imposed in Lyon and Nice
French authorities also imposed a curfew in the central area of Lyon, where a tourism office was set on fire during protests on Saturday. Public gatherings were also banned in parts of Lyon from 6 p.m. on Monday.
In Nice, a curfew was imposed from 9 p.m. on Monday to 6 a.m. on Tuesday. However, according to France 24, this restriction in Nice only applied to minors unaccompanied by an adult.
Minors barred from going out in several towns, including Lille
The French city of Lille and the towns of Douai, Wattignies, and Denain also imposed a curfew on minors outside without an adult from 8 p.m. on Monday to 6 a.m. on Tuesday. These restrictions were only enforced in designated areas.
Over 2,000 Arrested in Violent Protests
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes said on Sunday that over 2,000 people were arrested during violent protests across the country on Saturday.
Violent clashes broke out between police and protesters in Paris and other parts of France on Saturday during a nationwide march against rising inflation. Several incidents of arson were reported, while looters broke into dozens of shops and looted goods.
Following these incidents, authorities have imposed curfews in sensitive areas and banned public gatherings. According to Prime Minister Lecornu, further decisions will be made after assessing the local situation.