The French police announced a new curfew in some areas of Paris starting from just before midnight until Wednesday morning, in light of the violent incidents that took place in several French cities amid massive protests against the cost of living. In another police decree, any unauthorized gatherings are prohibited from Tuesday evening until six in the morning on Wednesday. For his part, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that France will deploy military forces to strengthen the police during the planned protests next Saturday.
Another police decision stated that any unauthorized gatherings are prohibited from Tuesday evening until six in the morning on Wednesday, particularly around the Élysée Palace, the National Assembly, the Senate, the Champs-Élysées, and train stations.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that France will deploy some military forces to bolster police presence during the planned protests next Saturday.
He added before the National Assembly, "We will deploy Sentinel forces, of course, as a substitute for internal security forces... primarily to relieve the burden on the police and gendarmerie in their mission to maintain order."
Nunez's statements came after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the police deployment during Saturday's protests would be "massive," and that its aim was "an immediate return to order" following violent riots that erupted earlier this week.
Authorities accuse "extreme left"
In the same context, the French government leader, Sébastien Lecornu, accused "groups from the extreme left" of having "planned for rebellion," pledging that security deployment to accompany the new protests scheduled for Saturday would be "intense," while the police imposed a new curfew in parts of Paris on Tuesday night.
Lecornu stated during an accountability session before the National Assembly: "We will not allow small rebellious groups to crawl into the Élysée Palace and Matignon," referring to the headquarters of the presidency and the government.
The government faces sharp criticism after the violence and looting, which is the most serious in recent years, occurred during massive protests on Saturday against the high cost of living. These protests come just six months before presidential elections in a country causing increasing concern in financial markets due to its debt levels and instability.
French President Emmanuel Macron admitted that there were "failures" in managing the protests. Political groups in the National Assembly agreed to form an inquiry committee into the violence and also into the measures taken to maintain order.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged before the National Assembly that the deployment on October 17 "was not as much as could be done," on a day that witnessed widespread violence and looting.
He said, "The Interior Minister gave instructions to local authorities. The deployment next Saturday will be intense."
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez added, "We will, of course, enhance the security deployment compared to what it was on October 17, and intervention methods will be reviewed (...) as well as the size of the participating forces (...) and their movements, to confront these organized groups that aim to scatter the security forces with highly precise planning."
Following the shock of unprecedented violence, the government is striving to reassure people that it has learned lessons from the security gaps that left city centers like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon essentially unprotected against rioters and looters following the protests.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated in a post on the X platform: "The specific curfew measures contributed to maintaining calm last night."
During the night, a helicopter flew over part of the city center, using a powerful searchlight to monitor compliance with restrictions.
The quiet of the night gives the government a chance to catch its breath after weeks of protests that have exhausted the police and public authorities.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin told the French news channel C News that 123 people have been arrested since the protests began and are still in custody awaiting trial.
He confirmed in a separate television appearance on Monday evening that around 2,500 people are still in custody for questioning.
The National Union of French Students, the main student union in France, stated in a social media post, "We will continue," pledging to keep up the pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron and his government to reform what students and pupils describe as a crumbling education system suffering from a lack of funding.
Expected protests on Saturday
On the other hand, groups known as the yellow vests have called for scattered protests against rising fuel prices.
On Monday evening, the mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, stated that the curfew "should remain an exceptional measure."
He emphasized in a statement that such a measure "should not turn into a long-term response to the crisis we are facing, nor should it disproportionately hinder freedom of movement."
With six months to go until the presidential elections, the crisis is taking on an increasingly political character, as Marine Le Pen, the candidate of the far-right National Rally party, leads the polls by a large margin.
Political accusations
The National Rally party denounces the government's "incompetence" and accuses the far-left France Unbowed party of trying to ignite a "civil war." The far-right party positions itself as the party of order, hoping to expand its electoral base in preparation for the presidential elections.
Senate President Gérard Larcher, a right-wing figure and the second-highest in the state, stated that the question of banning the France Unbowed party could be "raised" after the violence over the weekend.
The Prime Minister accused the "extreme left movement" of seeking to create "widespread chaos," and "even questioning the schedule of the presidential elections and their conduct."
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the candidate of the France Unbowed party, confirmed that his party "does not lead the popular movement, which leads itself," condemning the government's "inefficiency" in maintaining order.
In response to accusations from the right and far-right regarding the authorities' lack of firmness in handling the violence, the government is trying to show its strength. Prime Minister is expected to hold a meeting with political parties on Thursday.
However, the leader of the Greens party, Marine Tondelier, expressed reservations about these "exceptional measures," calling for "highlighting the shortcomings of the security system."