Speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting on 19/10, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced he had asked city authorities to impose local curfews this evening.
"I am determined to restore public order," he declared. Prime Minister Lecornu stated that the French government is ready to declare a state of emergency if necessary, but noted it is a very serious measure, both in its scope and implementation.
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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu speaks after an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Interior in Paris on 19/10. Photo: AP |
When a city imposes a curfew, residents are not allowed to move or gather in public areas during a specific period. If a state of emergency is declared, the French government can implement special measures to address serious threats to public order or national security.
These measures may include imposing curfews, restricting travel, and banning protests. "However, imposing curfews seems more appropriate for the current situation," Lecornu continued.
The French Prime Minister did not specify which cities would impose curfews or how this measure would be implemented. However, he ruled out the possibility of imposing a curfew across Paris.
AFP reported that French officials expect to announce a map of areas under curfew later today, after the government consults with mayors. Earlier, the city of Marseille, in southern France, banned people from "gathering and protesting" from noon to 20h on 19/10.
"Through television, French citizens feel that chaos is widespread. Fortunately, that is not the reality," Lecornu said. "The disorder is primarily concentrated in urban centers."
On 17/10, France was rocked as an estimated 550,000-800,000 people participated in nationwide protests against rising living costs and declining public service quality. Most protesters marched peacefully, but many locations became uncontrolled and turned into riots.
According to the French Ministry of Interior, over 2,500 people were arrested, and nearly 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured amid clashes between security forces and protesters, widespread looting, and fires across the country.
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French police respond to protests in central Paris on 18/10. Photo: AFP |
According to Alain Di Crescenzo, President of the French Chamber of Commerce, the violence has affected over 2,000 stores nationwide, with damages amounting to "hundreds of millions of euro."
On 18/10, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed anger and shame over the violent protests. He affirmed that suspects inciting violence would be dealt with, pledging not to equate peaceful protesters with legitimate demands with groups causing unrest and looting.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)
