French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused an “ultra-left movement” of seeking to organize unrest ahead of the 2027 presidential election, France 24 reported, as authorities prepared curfews after violent protests.
After an Oct. 19 government crisis meeting, Lecornu directed prefects to impose curfews in places hit by the violence to protect residents and shops.
The Oct. 17 demonstrations centered on living costs and school conditions. France’s Interior Ministry reported nearly 2,400 arrests connected to the protests. President Emmanuel Macron separately drew a distinction between demonstrators and those who damaged shops and public buildings.
France’s National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) said consumer prices rose 3.1% in September from a year earlier, while energy prices climbed 21.3%. The agency linked faster inflation since March to higher hydrocarbon prices amid conflict in the Middle East and said households were bearing much of the resulting loss in purchasing power.
Lecornu said short-time work assistance for retailers affected by the violence would be provided at 100% beginning Oct. 20. Ministers are also considering a separate aid fund or relief from taxes and social contributions, but have not decided on an additional measure.
Insee is scheduled to release October consumer price figures Nov. 13.
