Paris police ordered an overnight curfew in selected central districts after violence at weekend protests, as France's government pursued targeted security measures and kept a nationwide state of emergency available if needed.
The order covers Place de la République and designated streets in the Les Halles area from 5 p.m. ET Monday through midnight at the start of Tuesday (21:00 UTC Monday to 04:00 UTC Tuesday). Residents, workers, emergency services and shopkeepers are exempt. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu directed prefects to establish partial curfews and consult local mayors and chambers of commerce.
Lecornu said France had not declared a national state of emergency, though the government could use those powers if needed. He said roughly 80% of arrests that led to police custody were followed by prosecution, but gave no total for that group. He rejected a citywide restriction, saying, “There is no question of putting all Paris under curfew.”
The French Interior Ministry estimated that 550,000 people demonstrated nationwide on Oct. 17. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) put the figure at nearly 800,000. The union called for higher wages and pensions, lower prices and action on public services.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the demonstrations reflected concerns about living costs, fuel prices and young people's futures and study conditions. He said those concerns should not be conflated with looting and property destruction, and that the government would mobilize aid for affected businesses and local officials. Limoges city hall was damaged by fire on Oct. 17; the municipality later described the blaze as intentional.
Lecornu said intelligence services had warned him of an “ultra-left” movement seeking disorder ahead of the presidential election. The Associated Press cited a policing researcher who said far-left groups alone lacked the size and organization to explain the violence.
The CGT said it was preparing a nationwide strike and demonstration for Nov. 5. Lecornu said unions had filed notice for a demonstration that day.
