The key facts

  • Lecornu: targeted curfews 'contributed to calming things down', new ones possible on Tuesday evening
  • Darmanin: 2,513 people taken into custody, 67 remanded, dozens of investigations; he considers a state of emergency unnecessary
  • Medef: according to preliminary estimates, at least 3,000 businesses were affected; the 'Yellow Vests' are calling for a new action on October 24

New restrictions under question

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday, October 20, that the authorities may introduce additional local curfews after riots during weekend protests against the rising cost of living and fuel prices. In a post on the social network X, he noted that the targeted restrictions 'contributed to calming things down' overnight, and new measures may be announced on Tuesday evening 'where the situation requires it.' Decisions will be made locally by prefects in coordination with mayors.

Geography of the curfew

Partial curfews came into force overnight into Monday in a number of areas, including Paris and Lyon. According to the TV channel BFMTV, the authorities are extending nighttime restrictions beyond Paris to Nice, Lyon and parts of the Gironde department. Police and gendarmerie sources reported a generally calm night, although incidents occurred during demonstrations in Martinique.

Data on those detained

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said that after the weekend riots, 2,513 people were taken into custody, 67 remanded in custody, and dozens of judicial investigations have been opened. On CNews-Europe 1, he rejected the need to impose a state of emergency, saying that the authorities can restore order through firmness without restricting the individual freedoms of the entire population.

Reaction of politicians and business

Speaker of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet called on the government to respond to the protesters' demands, noting that hundreds of thousands of people had come out peacefully. She warned that law-and-order issues should not overshadow the budget debates and the demonstrators' grievances. Head of the business federation Medef Patrick Martin accused the state of being unable to maintain order, citing preliminary government estimates that at least 3,000 businesses were affected. Economy Minister Roland Lescure said that support measures for affected merchants and artisans would be announced so they could quickly resume operations.

Further actions

The coordination group of the 'Yellow Vests' movement called for a new mobilization on Saturday, October 24.