French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for partial curfews in affected areas following a weekend of protests that escalated into riots, looting and widespread damage to businesses.
The move gives local authorities the power to introduce restrictions where necessary to protect residents, shops and public property. Northern cities, including Lille, were reported to be preparing partial curfews for Monday evening.
The unrest has put pressure on the French government as authorities work to restore order and address the damage caused by the demonstrations. (Reuters; Euronews)
Lecornu Vows Action Against Looting
Lecornu condemned the violence and said the government would not allow rioters and looters to dictate events in the country.
He also announced plans to help affected communities recover from the destruction, saying those responsible for damaging property should bear the cost.
According to the prime minister, the government intends to introduce legislation to ensure that people who damage property can be held financially responsible. He also announced support for workers unable to work because of the unrest and said officials were engaging with insurers to help affected people access compensation more quickly.
Vinted Moves Against Suspected Stolen Items
Online resale platform Vinted has announced action against listings suspected of involving goods stolen during the unrest.
The platform said it was removing listings linked to looting as concerns grew that merchandise taken from shops was being offered for sale online.
Reports of suspected stolen goods appearing on resale platforms have prompted calls for greater cooperation between online marketplaces, authorities and law-enforcement agencies. Vinted has reiterated its position against the sale of stolen property. (TF1 Info)
Businesses Count the Cost
The demonstrations have caused serious disruption to commercial activity. France’s business community has warned that thousands of businesses have been affected by vandalism, looting and other damage.
The unrest followed student-led demonstrations that began over concerns about school conditions before expanding to include wider grievances about the cost of living and public services.
More than 500,000 people reportedly took part in demonstrations on Saturday, although the majority of protesters were described as peaceful. Violence broke out in several locations as groups clashed with police and targeted shops and public buildings.
Government Blames Radical Groups
Lecornu has accused what he described as ultra-left radical groups of seeking to create disorder ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.
That characterization is the government’s assessment of the unrest; the demonstrations have also been driven by broader public concerns about living costs, education and access to public services.
Authorities are now seeking to prevent further violence while helping businesses, workers and communities recover from the damage.
