French PM to Deploy Large Police Force if Protests Continue
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has vowed to deploy a large number of police officers to deal with further protests planned for the coming weekend. The move follows demonstrations against rising living costs that descended into riots several days ago.
On Saturday (17 October), France was rocked by a wave of unrest involving arson and looting, described as the worst in the country in several years. The violence came just six months before elections to choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron.
Addressing angry MPs, Lecornu acknowledged that the previous security response had been inadequate and promised a tougher approach to the next wave of demonstrations, AFP reported on Wednesday (21 October 2026.
“The deployment of officers on Saturday (24 October) will be on a large scale,” the French prime minister said.
He accused ultra-left radical groups of drawing up a “plan for insurrection” that triggered the riots.
Images of clashes between protesters and police, crowds looting shops and luxury boutiques, and buildings set alight over the weekend prompted several countries, including the United States and China, to issue travel advisories for their citizens.
On Monday (19 October), French authorities announced partial curfews in Paris and several other cities. Lecornu said additional curfews would be imposed on Tuesday (20 October) in locations where necessary.
The curfew in the capital, which began at 21:00 GMT on Tuesday (20 October), covered the Place de la République and the Les Halles district in the city centre, an area filled with shops. A ban on gatherings in public places was also imposed in the Champs-Élysées area and at local railway stations.
Parisians barred from carrying petrol or fireworks
In addition to imposing curfews, Paris authorities temporarily banned people from carrying jerrycans or bottles containing petrol or other fuel. They also prohibited the possession or carrying of fireworks.
The restrictions apply only in Paris and its surrounding areas and remain in force until Thursday (22 October).
Paris authorities also banned the wearing of protective equipment, such as helmets, near secondary schools and universities.
The measure follows clashes between police and groups of young people wearing face coverings. Some of them wore helmets, goggles, gloves and gas masks.