France’s Macron declines minister’s resignation after violent protests
France imposed partial curfews in several major cities on Monday following the violent unrest that erupted over the weekend. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he had asked regional authorities to introduce “partial” and “localised” curfews to protect businesses after demonstrations turned into some of the worst street violence the country has seen in recent years.
The curfew orders were announced late on Monday. In Paris, a curfew was set for Place de la République and the streets surrounding the Les Halles shopping area from 11 p.m. local time (21:00 GMT) on Monday night until 6 a.m. (04:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Police also banned gatherings and demonstrations across the capital starting at 8 p.m. (18:00 GMT). Similar measures, some limited to minors, were introduced for Lyon, Nice and Coulaines on Monday night, and for Lille and three nearby communes on both Monday and Tuesday nights.
President Emmanuel Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nunez’s offer to resign after the turmoil, the Élysée said on Monday morning. Macron told Nunez to remain in his post to preserve the chain of command within the police and security forces and urged him to develop new tactics to confront looters. He also asked the minister to take all necessary steps to ensure transparency about the planning and intelligence failures that preceded the violence.
Lecornu later explained that a full curfew for Paris was “out of the question,” but affirmed his determination to restore public order. He said a state of emergency could be declared if needed, although partial curfews appeared more appropriate at this stage. “I have asked the prefects to implement a number of curfews for this evening,” he told reporters, adding that the measures aim to protect people, property and businesses.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that more than 2,300 people were arrested and almost 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured during Saturday’s protests. Injuries were also recorded among demonstrators, including one protester whose hand was blown off by a crowd‑control grenade. The nationwide demonstrations brought together students demanding better conditions in the education system and citizens protesting the high cost of living and deteriorating public services. Over half a million people participated on Saturday, and looting, arson and property damage were reported in many cities. Masked rioters attacked town halls, police stations and other government buildings.
Nunez admitted that police “lost control” during the protests, acknowledging a “lack of anticipation” in the deployment of security forces. He said the number of officers on the streets was insufficient to manage the large crowds of rioters and looters that surrounded the demonstrations. Mayors of France’s biggest cities have demanded answers over what they describe as inadequate preparation by security forces. Nunez estimated that 60,000 law‑enforcement personnel were deployed nationwide that day and said about 350 people were arrested in Paris on Sunday and overnight. Nationwide, more than 2,330 people were taken into police custody over the weekend, 70 percent of them adults, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said.
Looting continued on Sunday, and Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said on Monday that roughly 30 shops had been targeted in the capital the previous day, calling the scenes “unbearable.” The violent weekend was led by the “yellow vest” movement, which staged weeks of violent protests over fuel prices between 2018 and 2020. The unrest followed weeks of demonstrations by high‑school students over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and underinvestment in education, the largest youth‑led protest movement in recent memory.
The disturbances come six months before France’s next presidential election, as the country faces a weak economy and rising national debt. The yellow vest movement has announced plans for another round of protests on Saturday, according to France 24.