After October 17, Lecornu asks for "partial and very localized" curfews

Sébastien Lecornu announced on Monday 19 October that he had asked the prefects to put in place "partial and very localized curfews" after the violence on the margins of the mobilization of 17 October against expensive life. Euronews, Radio-Canada and L It is a governmental instruction, not a uniform national curfew. [S1] [S7] [S10]

Restrictions whose modalities still need to be specified

According to Radio-Canada, the Prime Minister plans to communicate a map of the sectors concerned after discussions with the mayors. Euronews refers to city centres, some of which may be part of Paris. However, the information available does not give a definitive list of the areas, schedules, persons concerned or exceptions. They therefore do not allow the precise determination of which travel will be prohibited or permitted. [S1] [S7]

The state of emergency remains a possibility, not a decision announced as taken. Sébastien Lecornu said that it could be introduced "if it's useful", but judged the curfews more suitable at this stage. This distinction counts: the articles report the choice of targeted restrictions, without establishing that their effectiveness would already be demonstrated. [S7] [S10]

Another measure must be distinguished from these curfews: in Marseilles, the prefecture announced a ban on rallies and demonstrations on Monday between noon and 8 p.m. throughout the commune. A ban on assembly alone is not a general ban on movement. The two devices should therefore not be confused. [S26] [S37]

Protect without restriction

The justification put forward by the executive is concrete: prevent further destruction of shops and public buildings after a weekend of violence. Laurent Nuñez also announced an increase in the number of police and gendarmerie personnel, particularly for the next weekend. For traders and their employees, the challenge is to be able to resume an activity without further attacks. [S1] [S10]

For the inhabitants, the assessment of the restrictions will depend in particular on their duration, their extent and the exceptions allowing the necessary travel. The Council of State recalls in its 2023 review that violations of freedoms must be justified and proportionate. This principle informs consideration of the measures announced; it does not constitute a court decision on the curfews of 19 October. [S41]

Remedies exist when the administration seriously and manifestly unlawfully infringes a fundamental freedom, on condition of urgency: the judge may be referred to the court for interim relief. The Council of State includes freedom to go and come and freedom to demonstrate among protected freedoms. No appeal or judgment concerning such curfews shall be documented in the available evidence. [S42] [S1] [S7]

At the same time, the European Commission advocates a distinction between peaceful demonstrators and perpetrators of violence. His spokesman Markus Lammert condemned the looting and burning while calling on France to protect the right to demonstrate peacefully. This position joins a central issue: assigning the acts to their perpetrators, without assimilating the whole of a mobilization to those who commit offences. [S10] [S16]

Aid announced, responsibilities to be established

The government announces a support fund for vandalized businesses and access to partial unemployment as of Tuesday, presented as 100% covered. However, the available evidence does not provide sufficient details on how each company or employee will receive it, nor on the total budget cost. The announcement of economic protection therefore does not yet allow for effective compensation of losses. [S10] [S16]

The responsibility of the State in the security arrangements is also in question. Laurent Nuñez acknowledges a loss of control in some cities. Emmanuel Macron refused his resignation in the name of the continuity of command, while calling for transparency on the failures of anticipation and intelligence. These statements recognize dysfunctions, but do not yet establish precisely the causes and responsibilities of individual cases. [S1] [S35]

New mobilizations, a separate calendar

A coordination of yellow vests announces actions on 24 and 31 October, before the inter-union day of 5 November. Franceinfo points out that the rallies on its map are not necessarily guaranteed to be held. These calls prolong social mobilization, but constitute a separate announcement from that of curfews. There is no indication in the available information that the restrictions requested for Monday will still apply on the following Saturday. [S4] [S19] [S7]