The key facts

  • Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez attempted to resign after the October 17 riots, but the president rejected the resignation and tasked him with strengthening security.
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu gave mayors the right to impose partial curfews; restrictions are in effect in Paris, Lyon, Lille and Nice.
  • According to Lecornu, 80% of those detained will face criminal charges; a financial accountability law and a worker support fund have been announced.

Minister's resignation rejected, authorities take the situation under control

After mass protests on October 17 ended in riots, arson and looting of shops, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged that the situation had spiraled out of control and attempted to resign. The president did not accept the resignation — on the contrary, the minister was tasked with developing measures to strengthen security on the streets of French cities and to bring those responsible for the riots to justice.

Curfew in several cities

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Monday that he had empowered the mayors of a number of territories to impose a partial curfew if necessary. By evening it became known that in several cities these powers had been used. In Paris, a curfew for all ages has been declared from 23:00 to 06:00 local time on the streets adjacent to the Place de la République, the Les Halles shopping center and a major transport hub. In central Lyon, protests and mass marches are banned from 22:00 to 06:00. In the centers of Lille and Nice, minors are prohibited from going out on the street.

Accountability and support measures

According to Lecornu, representatives of territorial authorities are asking questions about how the police organized its work during the riots and want to understand why the situation spiraled out of control. The prime minister added that 80% of those detained during the riots over the weekend will face criminal charges, and he blamed the street unrest on 'far-left radicals.' According to him, the government will allocate funds to restore the affected areas, and these costs will be borne by those who provoked the riots. 'A law will be adopted guaranteeing the financial liability of persons who caused damage to property,' Lecornu said. In addition, he announced the creation of a fund to support employees who cannot perform their duties because of the riots and looting.

President's address

On Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron delivered a televised address to the nation, called for national unity and tried to convince French society that those who committed acts of violence will be punished.