French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called on regional authorities Monday evening to impose partial curfews in multiple cities following two consecutive days of widespread riots and looting that have swept across the country.
The prime minister's directive came as local administrations grapple with extensive damage, including burned town halls and the looting of hundreds of businesses, according to reporting by France 24 — English.
Police Face Escalating Destruction
The unrest has placed immense pressure on law enforcement agencies across several urban centers. Earlier on Monday, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admitted that police had lost control of the protests in multiple cities, acknowledging the scale of the disturbances after two days of escalating violence.
Flames engulfed municipal buildings while commercial corridors suffered heavy damage, leaving regional officials scrambling to re-establish order. Lecornu's request for partial curfews represents a direct effort to curb nighttime violence and prevent further destruction of civic infrastructure and private property.
Renewed Protest Calls Loom
The push for curfews follows indications that the unrest may broaden in the coming days. The Yellow Vest movement has issued calls for a new round of nationwide protests scheduled for Saturday, raising concerns among authorities that the current wave of turmoil could intensify over the weekend.
Regional leaders are currently assessing the prime minister's request to determine the scope and timing of curfew measures in the municipalities hit hardest by the riots.
