French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has said new curfews will be imposed where necessary as authorities work to restore order after weekend demonstrations over the cost of living and education descended into riots, looting and arson that led to more than 2,500 arrests.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Lecornu said local authorities would coordinate with mayors to decide whether to impose curfews in their respective prefectures. The announcement came as the government prepared for a series of meetings to contain the unrest, which followed weeks of student protests over education standards.
More than half a million people gathered across France on Saturday for demonstrations that brought together students demanding better education conditions and groups rejecting the high cost of living. The protests degenerated into looting and arson in numerous locations. Police confirmed that Monday night passed without major incidents.
French Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff was due to meet social media bosses on Tuesday to discuss the unrest. In a post on X on Monday, she said goods looted over the weekend were being sold online and called on platforms to remove such listings.
Demonstrators have called for further protests this Saturday, but France's main trade unions have not backed the call. Union officials are due to meet Lecornu on Wednesday, and on Thursday he will hold talks with political parties.
The unrest comes before presidential elections due to take place in April and May next year. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally, currently leads the polls, with far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who leads La France Insoumise, in second place. President Emmanuel Macron cannot stand because of France's two-term limit. Le Pen and Melenchon have both been accused of exploiting the protests before next year's vote.
Alice Cohen-Morzadec, a spokesperson for the French Student Union, told Al Jazeera the demonstrations were an "outburst" of anger in response to Macron's policies, which she said had "destroyed" students' living conditions. "One student out of two cannot eat properly. One student out of three doesn't have a permanent house to live in. We cannot study in these conditions," she said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The unrest has already triggered a nationwide law-and-order response, with curfews promised and more than 2,500 arrests, and the government is under pressure to prevent further violence.
- The protests merge two grievances, student conditions and the cost of living, giving the movement potential to grow if Saturday's planned protest draws fresh crowds.
- With presidential elections due in April and May, and Le Pen leading the polls, how the crisis is managed could shape the campaign.
Background
France has a long tradition of mass street protest as a political pressure valve, from the "yellow vest" movement that began in 2018 over fuel prices and living costs to repeated demonstrations against pension reform in recent years. The current unrest follows weeks of student protests over education standards and comes in the final year of Macron's presidency. Macron, barred by the two-term limit, will not be on the ballot, leaving a contest led by Le Pen and Melenchon at the centre of attention as the government tries to contain the crisis.
Key Perspectives
The government: Restoring order is the priority. Lecornu has promised curfews where needed in coordination with mayors, has scheduled meetings with unions and political parties, and the digital minister is pressing social media platforms to remove listings of looted goods.
Students and demonstrators: The French Student Union frames the protests as an outburst of anger at Macron's policies, saying his government has destroyed students' living conditions, with one in two unable to eat properly and one in three without stable housing. Organisers want another protest this Saturday.
The main trade unions: France's main unions have not backed the Saturday call and will meet Lecornu on Wednesday, a sign the movement may not hold together.
Critics of the political contenders: Le Pen and Melenchon have both been accused of exploiting the protests for the presidential campaign, and any further unrest could reshape a race Le Pen currently leads.
What to Watch
- Whether Saturday's planned protest proceeds and how large it is, given the main unions have not backed it.
- The outcome of Lecornu's meetings with union officials on Wednesday and political parties on Thursday.
- Whether social media platforms remove listings of looted goods as the digital minister has requested.
- Any movement in opinion polls for Le Pen or Melenchon as the election nears.