French cities remained largely calm overnight after authorities imposed targeted curfews following a weekend of violence, looting and clashes that exposed serious security gaps in several major urban centres.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the curfews had helped maintain calm and warned that the measures could be extended in areas where security conditions require them.
The government is facing pressure to explain how rioters and looters were able to operate in parts of Paris, Marseille and Lyon after demonstrations over worsening public services and rising living costs descended into violence.
The unrest began with protests by high school students over declining education standards and deteriorating school facilities. The demonstrations have since expanded into wider public anger over the cost of living and concerns about access to healthcare, housing and welfare services.
The crisis has also intensified political tensions ahead of France’s presidential election next year, with candidates from both the far right and far left gaining prominence.
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said 123 people arrested during the weekend remained in detention awaiting trial. He had earlier said around 2,500 people were still being held for questioning.
The government has promised to strengthen security measures and address the failures exposed by the unrest. Lecornu acknowledged that authorities had made mistakes during the response and said restoring public order was an absolute priority.
However, the immediate calm has not ended the demonstrations.
France’s main student union, UNEF, has called for further action next Saturday, maintaining pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government over education funding and conditions. Groups associated with the Yellow Vest movement have also announced separate protests over rising fuel costs.
The Yellow Vest movement emerged in 2018 during Macron’s first presidential term following plans to increase fuel taxes. The movement later became associated with nationwide road blockades and prolonged street protests.
France’s major labour unions, including the CGT, have not joined the calls for next Saturday’s demonstrations, potentially limiting the scale of organised union participation.
The government now faces the challenge of maintaining public order while responding to the economic and social grievances driving the protests. Although the latest night passed peacefully, the planned demonstrations suggest the unrest is not yet over.
The coming days could therefore prove important for Macron’s administration as it seeks to restore calm, address concerns over public services and prevent further violence.
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