3 October, Kathmandu. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said a new curfew would be imposed in essential parts of the country. Protests over the weekend turned into riots over issues of the cost of living and the education system. Authorities are trying to maintain peace and security in the country.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Lecornu said local officials would coordinate with mayors to decide whether or not to impose curfews in their respective prefectures. More than five million people gathered across France on Saturday. Students demanding better education and groups protesting high living participated in the demonstration. In many places the demonstrations turned into looting and arson. More than 2,500 people have been arrested during this process.
Police confirmed there were no major incidents across France on Monday night. The government has intensified the meetings to control the unrest that has arisen after weeks of student protests over the standard of education.
French digital minister Anne Le Hennef is scheduled to meet with social media chiefs on Tuesday. Posting on X on Monday, Henoff said items looted over the weekend were being sold online. She has asked the platforms to remove such content.
Protesters have called for more demonstrations this Saturday. But France's main trade unions have not backed the call. Union officials will meet with Lecornu on Wednesday. On Thursday, Lecornu will discuss the protest with political parties. These demonstrations are taking place ahead of the presidential elections in April and May next year.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing National Rally, is currently leading the polls. Left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insumés, is in second place. President Emmanuel Macron is ineligible to run because of France's two-term limit. Both Le Pen and Melenchon have been accused of taking advantage of the agitation ahead of next year's vote.
