After weekend rioting, french authorities impose curfews in Paris and other cities

Curfews across several cities

Paris will have an overnight curfew from 11pm to 6am around Place de la République and Les Halles. Authorities also announced curfews in Lille and the nearby cities of Douai, Wattignies and Denain.

Restrictions were announced in Nice for minors and in central Lyon. Marseille separately banned gatherings and demonstrations on Monday. The article describes the curfew in Paris as applying to parts of the city, not the whole capital.

Government weighs its response

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said after an emergency cabinet meeting that he was determined to restore public order. He called for local, partial curfews where needed and said a citywide curfew was not under consideration. Lecornu said France could declare a state of emergency if necessary, but described partial curfews as more appropriate at this stage.

Police preparation questioned

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged that police had lost control in some cities during Saturday’s protests. He cited inadequate police numbers in some areas and a lack of anticipation in preparations.

Intelligence had estimated 200,000 demonstrators nationwide, Nuñez said. More than half a million took part, and peaceful demonstrations were overtaken by violence and looting on their fringes. Almost 2,400 arrests have been made.

Macron calls for review

President Emmanuel Macron criticised what he called “unbridled violence” and requested a full security review. He also called for new operational methods to end the rioting. The weekend unrest became one of France’s most violent days of disorder in recent years, according to the report. Officials have not announced a full curfew for entire cities.