France Extends Curfews After Calm Night Following October 17 Protests

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on October 20 that the French government is extending partial curfews in multiple cities following what was described as a peaceful night. The curfews, which initially targeted minors and began on October 19 between 8 PM and 10 PM in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, and Nice, were credited for helping restore calm after days of violent protests over rising living costs.

Lecornu indicated that further curfews would be enacted where necessary to maintain public order. Police reported a generally calm night throughout France, signaling the positive impact of these measures.

The unrest leading to these emergency restrictions included widespread vandalism and looting, impacting over 3,000 businesses. Since the start of the violence, 123 individuals have been arrested and detained, with authorities focusing on prosecuting acts as organized crime to justify extended detention periods. Among those arrested was an individual linked to the far-left, connected to the fire at the Limoges town hall.

In response to the crisis, the government is organizing emergency meetings, including with representatives from social media platforms, which have faced criticism for allegedly inciting violence. Measures are also underway to support affected businesses, including the introduction of partial unemployment schemes and a dedicated support fund.

The government's handling of the situation has drawn criticism from both right- and left-wing groups, accusing officials of insufficient responses and urging greater dialogue with protesters. The events have also attracted international attention, with public figures like Donald Trump commenting and the European Union emphasizing the protection of the right to peaceful protest.

Prime Minister Lecornu’s statement underscores the government's commitment to using targeted curfews and administrative action to quell unrest and restore public safety amid ongoing social tensions in France.