French PM accuses ultra-left of insurrectionary plan, to meet unions Amid curfews

New protests planned; military to reinforce police in Paris and Lyon

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

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French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has accused ultra-left radical groups of forging an insurrectionary plan that led to violent rioting over the weekend during nationwide cost-of-living protests. He will meet with union representatives on Wednesday to discuss guaranteeing freedom to demonstrate while addressing what he calls unacceptable acts of diversion. New demonstrations by the Yellow Vests and high school students are planned for Saturday, and unions have called for protests on November 5. Curfews have been imposed in Paris and Lyon after a relatively quiet night following days of destruction.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu sent a letter to five major unions, including the CFDT and CGT, inviting them to a meeting on Wednesday at which Interior Minister Laurent Nunez will also attend. Lecornu stated that the meeting would address how to guarantee the freedom to demonstrate, which he believes some are trying to divert by associating it with unacceptable acts. The CFDT and CGT have criticized the absence of high school organizations from the meeting, while Lecornu promised to address their demands on schedules, school replacements, building renovations, and Parcoursup, the university admissions system.

The meeting follows one of the most destructive weekends of rioting in France in years, which Lecornu attributed to an insurrectionary plan by ultra-left radical groups that exploited peaceful cost-of-living protests. Fresh curfews were imposed in central Paris and Lyon after the first calm night since the unrest began. Lecornu announced a large-scale security operation for planned protests on Saturday, with military personnel to reinforce police forces. The government aims to prevent further violence while preserving the right to protest.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The unrest highlights deep frustrations over living costs in France, a trend seen across Europe.
The government’s use of curfews and military reinforcement signals a significant escalation in response to civil unrest.
The outcome of the meeting could set the tone for handling future protests and determine whether dialogue can de-escalate tensions.

Background

France has experienced periodic mass protests, most famously the Yellow Vests movement that began in 2018 over fuel taxes and economic inequality. The current wave of demonstrations is driven by rising living costs. The weekend’s rioting was among the worst in years, prompting strong government measures including curfews and plans to deploy the military.

Key Perspectives

Government (PM Lecornu): Sees a need to guarantee freedom to demonstrate while preventing violence; attributes weekend riots to an insurrectionary plan by ultra-left radicals and seeks to separate legitimate protest from illegal acts. Unions (CFDT, CGT): Support the right to protest but want to distance themselves from violence; concerned that high school organizations were excluded from the talks, arguing that students have legitimate concerns over schedules, facilities, and university admissions.

What to Watch

The outcome of Wednesday’s meeting between the government and unions, and whether it leads to a de-escalation.
Whether Saturday’s protests remain peaceful or see renewed violence despite the heavy security presence.
The potential for further curfews or extension of emergency measures if unrest continues.

Sources

Live: French PM Lecornu to meet with unions ahead of new protests · France 24 Europe

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

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SupportedLecornu accused ultra-left radical groups of forging an insurrectionary plan.France 24 Europe: “Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused ultra-left radical groups of forging an "insurrectionary plan"”
SupportedLecornu is to meet union representatives on Wednesday.France 24 Europe: “Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will receive representatives from five unions, the CFDT, CGT, FO, CFTC and CFE-CGC, on Wednesday”
Partly supportedCurfews were imposed in central Paris and Lyon after the first calm night since the unrest began.France 24 Europe: “Fresh curfews were imposed across the city centres of Paris and Lyon after the first quiet night since France ’s most destructive rioting in years.”
SupportedNew demonstrations by the Yellow Vests and high school students are planned for Saturday.France 24 Europe: “New demonstrations planned by the Yellow Vests and French high school students are planned for Saturday”
SupportedMilitary personnel are to reinforce police forces for the planned Saturday protests.France 24 Europe: “Lecornu said a “massive” security operation was planned for new protests Saturday, with the military set to reinforce the police force.”
SupportedThe plan led to violent rioting over the weekend on the sidelines of nationwide cost-of-living protests.France 24 Europe: “Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu accused ultra-left radical groups of forging an "insurrectionary plan" that led to violent rioting over the weekend on the sidelines of nationwide protests over the cost of living.”
Not in the sourcesThe ultra-left groups exploited peaceful cost-of-living protests.France 24 Europe
SupportedUnions have called for protests on November 5.France 24 Europe: “the unions have scheduled theirs for November 5.”
SupportedLecornu sent a letter inviting five major unions, including the CFDT and CGT, to the meeting.France 24 Europe: “according to a letter he sent to these organisations.”
Partly supportedLecornu said the meeting would address guaranteeing freedom to demonstrate and what he calls unacceptable acts of diversion.France 24 Europe: “in order to discuss "the ways and means to guarantee the indispensable freedom to demonstrate" that "some are trying to divert by associating it with unacceptable acts"”
SupportedThe CFDT and CGT criticized the absence of high school organisations from the meeting, and Lecornu intends to address students’ demands.France 24 Europe: “The CFDT and the CGT deplored the absence of high school organisations at this meeting, where Lecornu intends to address "the answers" to their demands on schedules, replacements, renovation of buildings and Parcoursup.”
Not in the sourcesThe government aims to prevent further violence while preserving the right to protest.France 24 Europe