France, Lecornu imposes curfew after violence on October 17

After the chaos, devastation and looting that followed the Saturday, October 17 protests against the rising cost of living, which affected Paris and several cities including Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered the implementation of partial curfews, instructing local prefects to enforce them. The account comes from ANSA and from the Corriere del Ticino’s correspondence from Paris.

Lecornu described what happened as an unprecedented “operational mode,” noting that for the first time the violence began right from the start of the march, rather than in a later phase as in past mobilizations. The prime minister linked the restrictions to a containment effect:

“The restrictions have contributed to the calm” — Sébastien Lecornu, French Prime Minister

Based on this assessment, the curfew measures were extended in several cities and also expanded to Marseille, where they had not initially been planned.

The crisis is also reflected in the political scene ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Candidates disagree on which measures to adopt: Gabriel Attal proposes blocking social media during moments of tension, while Bruno Retailleau calls for a state of emergency. The two proposals mark opposite approaches — one oriented toward controlling communication, the other toward tightening public order powers — and show how the handling of the October 17 violence has already entered the electoral debate.

The French government has not yet indicated a date for lifting the restrictions, which remain in force in the cities involved in the weekend’s unrest.