19.10.2026 15:23
In the nationwide demonstrations organized by the Yellow Vests, also supported by students, against the cost of living and high fuel prices in France, more than 2,000 people were detained and hundreds of police officers were injured. Following severe looting incidents, Prime Minister Lecornu instructed prefects to implement a partial curfew. Initially, a curfew will be imposed in the city of Denain from 21:00 to 06:00 until October 25.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu instructed prefects to impose partial curfews in some parts of the country starting this evening, following weekend protests where scenes of violence and looting occurred.
"THE DISORDER IS BEING ORGANIZED BY THE FAR LEFT"
Lecornu held a crisis meeting with cabinet members in the capital Paris after the violence and looting during weekend protests across the country. Holding a press conference with various cabinet members after the meeting, Lecornu said, "We have nothing to hide," and said law enforcement worked extremely well during the protests. Arguing that the disorder in the country is organized by the far left, Lecornu stated that there is still a problem related to the far left in the city of Marseille.
Lecornu stated that he instructed prefects to impose partial curfews in some places starting this evening, without sharing details on how the curfew would be implemented.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT FOR SHOPKEEPERS WHOSE SHOPS WERE LOOTED
Lecornu said they would support shops affected by the damage and noted that those who wreaked havoc during the protests should pay the cost. Lecornu said unemployment benefit would be given to the shopkeepers of those shops and a special support fund would be established, adding, "I am fully determined to restore order."
"THIS IS A FRENCH-STYLE SCHIZOPHRENIA"
Stating that he preferred imposing a curfew instead of declaring a state of emergency, Lecornu said, "For three weeks it has been said that the police are killing or injuring (people), and for two days we have been asked where the police are. This is a French-style schizophrenia."
"NO ONE WAS KILLED"
Arguing that the police should not be used as a political tool in the context of presidential elections, Lecornu said regarding the yellow vest protests, "Although difficult scenes occurred on Saturday, no one was killed, and this is a miracle. This shows that the police are doing their job."
POLICE AND GENDARMERIE NUMBERS WILL BE INCREASED AT THE WEEKEND
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez recalled that President Emmanuel Macron instructed that measures be taken to prevent those wreaking havoc, and said the measures would be taken starting this evening. Nunez said they would increase the number of police and gendarmerie this weekend and said the football matches expected this week in France would not be affected by the curfews.
CURFEW DECISION IN THE CITY OF DENAIN
Denain Mayor Anne-Lise Dufour-Tonini stated in a post on her social media account that a curfew had been decided in the city from 21:00 to 06:00 local time until October 25. Dufour-Tonini noted that people working during those hours or with emergency matters would be exempt from the curfew.
EVENTS IN FRANCE
Yellow vests, supported by students, held nationwide protests on October 17 against the cost of living and high fuel prices. About 2,400 people were detained during the protests across the country, while about 1,000 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured.
At least 1,500 shops were looted during the protests, and clashes occurred between protesters and police in major cities.