Paris imposes a ‘night curfew’... Will France declare a state of emergency?

As student protests against poor educational conditions escalated into large-scale violent unrest over a lack of public-sector investment and high prices, the French government under Emmanuel Macron imposed nighttime curfews in major cities, including Paris. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he would not rule out declaring a state of emergency.
According to the French news agency AFP and other outlets, Prime Minister Lecornu said that after an emergency response meeting on the 19th (local time), he had sent guidance to local authorities on imposing curfews as early as that day. He said, “The curfews will be limited in scope and to specific areas,” adding, “Local authorities will decide on them.” He explained, “The purpose of these curfews is to protect shops as well as people.”
In response, local authorities announced curfew measures. Paris police imposed a curfew around Place de la République and the commercial district of Les Halles, from 11 p.m. that night until 6 a.m. on the 20th. In four northern cities—Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain—partial curfews were in effect from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. on the 20th, while Nice decided to ban minors from moving around the city center. Marseille in the south also banned public gatherings from noon until 8 p.m.
Regarding the nationwide protests, which have continued for an extended period, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said, “Around 2,330 people were detained by police over the weekend, 70% of them adults.” Commerce Minister Serge Papin said, “At least 3,000 shops have been affected, and the damage could amount to hundreds of millions of euros.” The retail trade federation said, “Nearly 3,000 shops were affected over the past weekend,” adding, “The retail sector, already weakened by successive crises, has once again found itself on the front line of turmoil.”
Nevertheless, the protests are expected to continue. The Yellow Vest movement announced another protest for the coming Saturday, the 24th, saying it would launch “Act Two.” The Yellow Vest movement, which began in November 2018 in protest against soaring prices and social inequality, had already shaken France for several months in the past. Student protesters this time urged the Yellow Vests to join them, and they did take part in last weekend’s protests. France’s major trade unions have also announced strikes and protests for the 5th of next month, prompting concerns that large-scale unrest lies ahead.
The European Union (EU) criticized the violence as “unacceptable,” while also commenting that “the legitimate right to protest peacefully in France must be protected.”
[email protected] Hong Chaewan Reporter