The repercussions of protests in France against the rising cost of living and declining purchasing power, which began on September 17 from high schools in the northern suburbs of Paris, continue to unfold. The protests soon expanded to include various sectors and turned into large-scale demonstrations in some areas, marked by violence, looting, and arrests.
Amid President Emmanuel Macron's refusal to accept the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, his acknowledgment of "failures" in managing the protests, and the "Yellow Vests"' threat to organize new movements next Saturday, pressure on authorities to contain the escalation is mounting. This comes amid fears of widening political repercussions, especially with the presidential elections approaching.
Security Review
The Elysee Palace stated that Interior Minister Laurent Nunez submitted his resignation to Macron two days ago on Sunday, but the president rejected it, justifying the decision by the need to maintain leadership of security forces under current circumstances, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The French presidency added that Macron tasked Nunez with taking necessary measures to transparently identify shortcomings in anticipation and intelligence gathering that led to the outbreak of violence, and to establish new working methods for internal security forces as soon as possible.
Amid growing pressure on the government, Macron acknowledged "failures" in handling the protests, calling on the police to review their methods. This step reflects the scale of challenges facing authorities in containing the unrest and limiting its repercussions.
Hundreds Detained and Looting
The capital, Paris, witnessed looting affecting approximately 30 stores. Meanwhile, Interior Minister and Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced the arrest of 350 people on Sunday and during the previous night, according to AFP. For his part, French Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin stated that 2,331 people were arrested by police across the country over the weekend, with dozens of them placed in pre-trial detention in connection with acts of violence.
In Marseille, one of the most affected areas, Mayor Benoit Payan strongly criticized the management of law enforcement operations, pointing out a shortage of security personnel deployed on the ground.
Curfew and Cautious Calm
In the latest developments, French Prime Minister Sebastien Locrun announced that authorities would impose a curfew in areas where the situation warrants it, following the implementation of similar partial restrictions in several major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux, and Nice. Conversely, police officials reported that the previous night saw calm across the country, while a French Gendarmerie helicopter hovered over central Paris to monitor compliance with the curfew.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire had previously emphasized that the curfew should remain an exceptional measure, warning against it becoming a long-term response to the crisis or leading to disproportionate restrictions on freedom of movement.
The Louvre Closes Its Doors
The repercussions of the protests extended to the cultural sector, as students closed the entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris yesterday morning, Monday, in protest against what they described as "police repression," according to the museum's administration and French unions. The museum was unable to open its doors at its usual time of 9:00 AM, while protesters held up signs announcing the closure of the world's largest museum.
"Yellow Vests" Threaten New Movement
In parallel, the "Yellow Vests" coordination committee announced plans to organize a new day of movements next Saturday, following last Saturday's protests that saw disturbances in several cities. The coordination committee published a map of scheduled movements on its website for October 24, featuring dozens of events. Benjamin Ball, the website's director, stated that there is significant momentum calling for a new round of protests.
The announcement of new movements raises fears of renewed violence, as authorities strive to contain the crisis and prevent its spread to additional areas.
Accusations and Fears of Crisis Expansion
On the political level, the French Prime Minister accused the "Radical Left" of seeking to create deep disturbances in the country up to the presidential elections. AFP quoted Locrun as saying after a meeting of a joint ministerial crisis cell that there is a network that may move and seek to reconsider the timeline of the presidential elections or even their conduct. He announced his intention to hold a special meeting with the Interior Minister and intelligence agencies to discuss the matter.
These developments open the door to questions regarding the French government's ability to contain the protests and the extent of their impact on the domestic political landscape, amid the intersection of social demands and political disagreements among various currents, with the presidential election, scheduled for two rounds in April and May next year, approaching.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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