France imposes curfews amid unrest and protests
France has implemented partial curfews in major cities including Paris, Lyon, and Lille following violent protests over the rising cost of living. The government is struggling to maintain order as demonstrations have led to looting, property damage, and clashes with law enforcement.
Why it matters
The unrest poses a significant political challenge to President Emmanuel Macron's administration just months before the next presidential election.
Listen PARIS – France announced partial curfews in Paris and other cities on Oct 19 after weekend demonstrations over soaring prices degenerated into some of the worst street violence in recent years.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu did not rule out imposing a state of emergency after the interior minister said the police had “lost control”.
Tourists in Paris had a taste of the disruption on Oct 19 when they found the Louvre closed because of a small group of student protesters, while the US embassy in Paris urged American citizens to avoid the demonstrations.
Facing accusations that it failed to anticipate and respond to the violence, the government has vowed to re-establish order, while officials scrambled to contain public anger.
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