France allows local curfews after nationwide protests and unrest

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on Monday that mayors will be granted the power to impose local curfews "where they need" them, following a crisis meeting in response to widespread protests and violence over the weekend. Lecornu did not specify which cities would be affected. Marseille, France's second-largest city, has already announced a ban on public gatherings from noon to 8 p.m. local time.

The prime minister also said the government would allocate funds to help affected areas recover from the damage, with costs ultimately recovered from those responsible for the violence. "There will be a law that will be put in place to find ways of making sure that those who have damaged properties will have to pay," Lecornu said, according to Press TV. Alain Di Crescenzo, head of France's Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI), said more than 2,000 shops and other businesses were directly affected by the weekend's violence, estimating the damage at "hundreds of millions of euros."

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said around 200 investigators are examining CCTV footage to identify those who may have organized the violent protests. Nunez attempted to resign on Sunday, but President Emmanuel Macron rejected his resignation, citing "the need for continued command of law enforcement," according to the Elysee Palace. Nunez acknowledged that police had "lost control" in some cities.

The nationwide demonstrations drew students demanding better conditions in France's education system, alongside residents protesting the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services. More than half a million people took to the streets on Saturday. In cities across the country, looting, arson and vandalism were reported, while masked protesters reportedly targeted town halls, police stations and other government buildings. Official figures put the number of injured law enforcement officers at nearly 1,000, while around 2,500 people were arrested.

The government's handling of the unrest has drawn criticism from local leaders, including the mayors of Paris, Marseille and Limoges. The weekend's violence followed weeks of student protests over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and chronic underinvestment in education. The demonstrations have grown into the country's biggest youth-led protest movement in recent history, according to Mehr News.