official (Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his office, Oct 19; Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez; Minister Serge Papin) · media (AFP; France 24; The Guardian)
France orders local curfews after weekend riots, and its prime minister says a state of emergency is possible
France has not declared a state of emergency. Its prime minister says he will if he has to, and the curfews start tonight.
Key facts
- Curfews
- 8 PM to 6 AM Monday and Tuesday nights in four northern cities including Lille; also around Place de la République and Les Halles in Paris (Prime Minister's office)
- State of emergency
- Not declared; Lecornu says he will declare it if needed (Oct 19)
- Damage
- At least 3,000 businesses affected (Trade Minister Serge Papin)
- Police
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered his resignation, saying police lost control in some cities; President Macron did not accept it
If needed, I will do it.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, on a state of emergency, Oct 19, via AFP
Note
France's prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, said after an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, October 19, that he had asked regional prefects to impose partial, localised curfews after a weekend of rioting and looting. His office said curfews would run from 8 PM to 6 AM on Monday and Tuesday nights in four northern cities, including Lille, and in parts of central Paris around Place de la République and Les Halles.
Lecornu said he would declare a state of emergency if needed, but that curfews seemed better suited to the situation for now. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had offered his resignation earlier in the day, saying police had lost control in some cities; President Macron did not accept it. Trade Minister Serge Papin said at least 3,000 businesses were affected.
Lecornu blamed an ultra-left movement and said a network could try to call into question the timetable of next spring's presidential election.
The state of emergency has not been declared. It has been put on the table.
Why it matters
Six months before a presidential election, the government admits police lost control in several cities, and the prime minister warns the unrest could be used to question the vote itself.
Sources
- France 24 with AFP: French PM Lecornu says ready to declare state of emergency 'if needed' (Oct 19 2026)
- The Guardian: French prime minister calls for 'local and partial' curfews after riots (Oct 19 2026)
Primary + secondary attribution as listed.
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