France is responding to weekend riots with partial, local curfews and promised business aid, adding to political and fiscal strain on President Emmanuel Macron’s government in its final months.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Monday that prefects would select areas for the curfews after consultations. The move followed Saturday’s riots, which left shops looted, buildings torched and public institutions defaced. In his Oct. 18 address, Macron stopped short of declaring a state of emergency.
Macron’s address also promised aid to affected merchants and said looters should reimburse what they took. EconoTimes previously covered Macron’s pledge of merchant aid and repayment from looters.
Reuters reported that France’s strained public finances and divided parliament limit Macron’s room to respond. It contrasted that position with the 2018-19 Yellow Vest protests, when Macron made concessions worth billions of euros. The outlet said the violence adds to political risk as France faces scrutiny over its debt and efforts to reduce one of the euro zone’s largest budget deficits. Reuters also described pressure from bond markets for spending restraint as protesters demand more from the state.
The Élysée said Macron turned down Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s resignation and asked officials to examine intelligence work and police preparations related to the unrest.
Former lawmaker Loïc Kervran, once part of Macron’s camp, linked the political impasse to the president’s 2024 decision to dissolve parliament in a post on X, Reuters reported. Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe also criticized Macron’s response to the unrest in a post on X, Reuters reported.
Reuters characterized National Rally leader Marine Le Pen’s Sunday video as an effort to present herself as someone who could restore order. The outlet reported that Le Pen was already a frontrunner in the 2027 presidential race and could benefit from public anger over living standards and concern about law and order.
Reuters reported that Macron arrived in Kuwait on Monday for a Gulf tour. In his Sunday address, Macron said the trip was intended to help secure fuel supplies. Lecornu outlined a dedicated fund for businesses affected by the unrest.
