PARIS — French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday new curfews would be imposed where necessary in parts of the country, as authorities sought to restore order after weekend demonstrations over the cost of living and issues in the education system descended into riots.In a statement on social media platform X, Lecornu said targeted curfews “contributed to calm” overnight, adding that further restrictions could be announced Tuesday evening “where the situation requires it.”Lecornu said local authorities would coordinate with mayors to decide whether to impose curfews in their respective prefectures.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 descended into looting and arson in numerous locations, with more than 2,500 people arrested.Monday night passed without any major incidents across France, police have confirmed.The government is due to hold a series of meetings as it intensifies efforts to contain the unrest, which followed weeks of student protests over education standards.French Digital Minister Anne Le Henanff was due to meet social media bosses on Tuesday to discuss the protests. In a post on X on Monday, Henanff said goods looted over the weekend were being sold online and called on platforms to remove such listings.Demonstrators have called for further protests coming Saturday, but France’s main trade unions have not backed the call, with union officials due to meet Lecornu on Wednesday. On Thursday, Lecornu will hold talks with political parties about the protests, which come 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. Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who leads La France Insoumise, is currently 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.Marseille will introduce a curfew for minors in certain areas from 10 pm to 5 am starting Tuesday evening, lasting at least until Friday, Le Figaro reported. Mayor Benoit Payan said the restrictions would apply exclusively to commercial areas hit by looting or considered at risk.Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said 149 people had been jailed as of midday Tuesday, updating an earlier figure of 67. Authorities previously reported that 2,513 people had been taken into custody.Earlier Tuesday, he said around 50 judicial investigations had been opened.Speaking to CNews-Europe 1, Darmanin rejected the need for a state of emergency, saying authorities could restore order through firmness without restricting the individual freedoms of the entire population.Meanwhile, parliamentary group leaders agreed to begin a procedure for the National Assembly’s Law Committee to become a commission of inquiry into the weekend violence, looting and policing measures.National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet urged the government to address protesters’ demands, saying hundreds of thousands had demonstrated peacefully.She warned that policing concerns should not overshadow the budget debate and demonstrators’ grievances.Business federation Medef President Patrick Martin accused the state of failing to maintain order, citing preliminary government estimates that at least 3,000 businesses were affected.Economy Minister Roland Lescure said support measures would be announced for affected traders and craftspeople to help them resume operations quickly.
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