French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised direct state budget support to rebuild Limoges city hall after a fire during Oct. 17 unrest, but the size of that contribution has not been announced.
Lecornu made the pledge in an Oct. 18 response to Mayor Guillaume Guérin, LCP reported. It followed Guérin’s call for a government commitment to restore the building fully. The Independent reported that the mayor had threatened to resign along with the city council if that commitment was not made.
Guérin cited the rebuilding effort after the 2019 Notre-Dame cathedral fire as a model for the help he wanted. Limoges says its city hall opened in 1883. Rioters set it on fire on Oct. 17, causing the roof and clock tower to collapse, according to The Independent.
The fire came amid Oct. 17 protests across France over living costs and public services. The Association of French Mayors distinguished the violence from the demonstrations themselves, which it said had respected public order.
Lecornu is expected to discuss the rebuilding timetable and financing during a visit to Limoges, LCP reported.
