French PM Lecornu asks prefects for local curfews after riots
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Monday he has asked prefects to set partial, local curfews from Monday evening. He also promised a "massive" criminal response to the weekend riots and looting. The curfew map was not yet out, and he said a state of emergency would come only "if useful."
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Monday that he had asked the state's regional prefects to impose "partial" and "localized" curfews, RTL and franceinfo reported. The curfews start Monday evening, RTL and Europe 1 reported, and RTL said that they are meant in part to protect shops. Lecornu spoke at the Interior Ministry after a government crisis meeting on the weekend's violence, RTL and franceinfo reported.
The curfew map had not been published when he spoke. Lecornu said the Interior Ministry should release it during the afternoon, after talks with the mayors concerned, RTL and Europe 1 reported.
"The disorder was organized in a completely unprecedented way," Lecornu said, according to RTL. He promised a "massive" criminal response, franceinfo and RTL reported. RTL said he set out a new policing approach against "casseurs," the French word for rioters who smash property. Franceinfo reported that 200 police investigators will study videos of the looting.
Conservative presidential candidate Bruno Retailleau has called for a state of emergency, RTL reported. Lecornu said one would be declared "if useful," but that curfews "seem better suited," RTL and Europe 1 reported. He blamed the "ultra-left," which he said wants to cause deep disorder in France until the presidential election, RTL and franceinfo reported.
Lecornu said no one had been killed, calling that a "miracle," RTL and franceinfo reported. Franceinfo reported that a man died on Saturday of a probable heart attack near a protest march, a death police said was not linked to the violence, and that prosecutors were checking reports of other deaths.
Arrest counts differ because they measure different things. The Interior Ministry counted 2,397 people arrested, Europe 1 reported. AFP put the number arrested at more than 2,500, according to its report carried by The Local. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said there were 2,331 police custodies over the weekend, Europe 1 reported.
Lecornu also announced full partial-unemployment pay for staff at looted shops and a support fund for shop owners, RTL and Europe 1 reported.
The yellow vest group that called Saturday's protests has announced an "Act II" for Saturday, October 24, ICI reported, citing AFP.
What we know: Lecornu has asked prefects for partial, local curfews from Monday evening and promised a massive criminal response.
What we don't: Which areas the curfews will cover, and for how long.
Where outlets agree RTL and franceinfo report that Lecornu asked prefects for partial, local curfews and promised a massive criminal response.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.