France Deploys Military After Nationwide Riots and Looting
The French government is mobilizing military forces and imposing curfews following violent cost-of-living protests that left 3,000 businesses looted and a historic town hall burned.
France is mobilizing military personnel to support police in a massive security operation scheduled for October 24, following a weekend of destructive riots and looting. Sébastien Lecornu, the Prime Minister, announced the deployment of the Sentinelle force to secure sensitive sites and restore order after protests over the cost of living and school conditions escalated into widespread violence. The unrest resulted in the looting of approximately 3,000 businesses, the injury of 1,000 security officers, and the near-destruction of the historic Limoges city hall by fire.
In response to the chaos, the government implemented localized overnight curfews in cities including Paris, Lyon, Lille, and Nice. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted that authorities lost control in several major cities and offered his resignation, which President Emmanuel Macron refused. Macron instead ordered an investigation into intelligence and planning failures. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin reported over 2,500 arrests and emphasized a firm judicial response for property crimes.
Politically, the unrest has deepened divisions. Lecornu attributed the violence to an insurrectionary plan by far-left groups, a claim disputed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Meanwhile, far-right leader Marine Le Pen characterized the events as a crisis of authority. The instability has triggered a sell-off of government bonds, pushing French borrowing costs to a 24-year high. Similar unrest has been reported across Europe, including in Italy and Albania, reflecting broader economic grievances regarding fuel prices and housing.
