Key Takeaways
- French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu calls for localised curfews.
- Protests turn violent, with shops looted and set ablaze.
- Over 2,500 people arrested and nearly 1,000 security forces injured.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has called for localised curfews in response to escalating unrest, as protesters blocked the entrance to the Louvre in Paris. The demonstrations, which began as cost-of-living protests, have turned into some of the worst street violence in recent years.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledged a 'lack of anticipation' in the deployment of security forces, with insufficient numbers to handle the large crowds of rioters and looters. Nunez resigned, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected his resignation, ordering him to implement new operational methods to combat rioters.
On Saturday, around half a million people participated in demonstrations across France, leading to significant damage. More than 2,500 people were arrested, and nearly 1,000 members of the security forces were injured. One demonstrator’s hand was blown off by a police crowd-control grenade.
In a statement, Nunez said, 'On Saturday, in some major cities, you couldn’t look shopkeepers in the eye after hundreds of shops had been looted and tell them we hadn’t lost control.'
The unrest continued into Sunday, with Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire reporting that around 30 shops had been targeted in the capital. CCTV footage shows a masked group breaking into a jewellery shop in Lyon, France, on October 17, 2026.
Lecornu vowed, 'I’m absolutely determined to restore public order,' and called for regional authorities to impose 'partial' and 'localised' curfews to protect businesses. He added that the government was ready to impose a state of emergency 'if needed.'
Macron ordered Nunez to take all necessary steps to ensure transparency over the failures in planning and intelligence that led to the violence. He also requested that Nunez promptly implement new operational methods for security forces to use on the ground.
The situation remains tense, with looting continuing and the government struggling to regain control. The Yellow Vests movement, which organised the weekend’s rallies, has called for a new round of protests next Saturday.
I’m absolutely determined to restore public order.
Sebastien Lecornu, French Prime Minister
On Saturday, in some major cities, you couldn’t look shopkeepers in the eye after hundreds of shops had been looted and tell them we hadn’t lost control.
Laurent Nunez, Interior Minister
