French officials consider emergency measures after weekend riots
More than 2,500 arrests were made as protests over school conditions and cost of living turned violent, prompting the government to discuss curfews and a possible state of emergency.
French authorities are weighing a state of emergency and localized curfews after a weekend of riots that spread across major cities. The unrest, which began as school-related demonstrations, expanded into broader anti-government protests over the cost of living and public services, resulting in extensive property damage and thousands of arrests, according to the Justice Ministry.
In Marseille, officials banned all large gatherings on Monday, while the 19th-century town hall in Limoges was burned down by masked rioters. Similar attacks were reported in Lyon and Marseille, where historic municipal buildings were set on fire.
President Emmanuel Macron said those attempting to “bring down the republic” would be held accountable. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu attributed part of the violence to “an ultra-left movement” seeking to disrupt the country ahead of the April presidential election and called for “partial” curfews to protect businesses. He added that the government was prepared to impose a national state of emergency if necessary.
The U.S. State Department issued an advisory urging Americans to avoid areas of the demonstrations. Protesters, many of them high-school students, said they were motivated by deteriorating school conditions, rising living costs and perceived political dishonesty.
"I'm absolutely determined to restore public order," Lecornu said. "There is no way we will allow violent minorities to impose an agenda of violence and, quite obviously, prevent us from holding this election," he added.
Demonstrations continued on Monday, with hundreds gathering outside Paris' Louvre Museum in support of the student protesters.