French PM Meets Unions After Riots and Curfews Ahead of New Protests
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is meeting trade unions on Wednesday to discuss protest security and the response to the high school students who started the nationwide demonstrations. Curfews were introduced after weekend riots, and a major security operation is planned for Saturday.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was set to meet trade union organisations on Wednesday, 21 October, to discuss security at demonstrations and how to respond to the high school students who launched protests that have now spread across the country. The talks follow weekend violence and looting, after which curfews were introduced in several French cities. The protests are linked to the cost of living.
Accusations against the ultra-left
Lecornu accused ultra-left radical groups of crafting an "insurrectionary plan" that, in his account, led to violent rioting on the sidelines of the nationwide protests over the weekend. The source describes the unrest as France's most destructive rioting in years.
Curfews and security measures
Following the first quiet night after the unrest, fresh curfews were imposed in the city centres of Paris and Lyon. The prime minister said a "massive" security operation was planned for new protests on Saturday, with the military set to reinforce the police.
On Monday, Lecornu took part in an interministerial crisis meeting at the Interior Ministry in Paris. The developments are reported by France 24, drawing on Reuters, AP and AFP material.
