France Extends Curfews and Deploys More Police After 2,500 Detentions
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Oct 20
France Extends Curfews and Deploys More Police After 2,500 Detentions
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Oct 20
Summary
Overnight curfews around Paris' Place de la République and Les Halles, plus restrictions in Lyon and other cities, were extended after authorities said Monday night passed without major incidents.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised a "massive" police deployment before the next demonstrations on Oct. 24 after Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted officials had underestimated Saturday's unrest and lost control in some cities.
More than 2,500 people were taken into custody after rioters burned buildings, looted thousands of businesses and torched Limoges' historic town hall, even as Macron separated peaceful protesters from what he called radical far-left groups and criminals.
The protests, which began in mid-September over overcrowded schools and teacher shortages, have widened into a broader revolt over living costs and declining public services.
France's 3.6 trillion-euro debt, a 5.4% deficit and Macron's lack of a parliamentary majority limit broader concessions as his approval rating sits at 15% before April's presidential election.