France announces partial curfews after weekend of violence

In response to the weekend's urban violence, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the implementation of targeted curfews limited to certain areas. He has asked prefects to identify the most vulnerable city centres in order to prevent further looting and limit property damage. These measures may specifically target areas where businesses have been ransacked and where clashes have occurred. Declaring a state of emergency remains a possibility, but it is not the preferred option at this stage. The government also intends to strengthen the police in judicial response and restore calm. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez submitted his resignation but French President Emmanuel Macron rejected it. He is now promising reinforcement of police officers and gendarmes on the ground particularly this weekend as another day of protests is scheduled for Saturday. This Monday morning, the high school student movement and found an echo at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Students blocked the entrance to protest police repression. The museum was unable to open at usual time, angering many tourists who were there.