France confronts massive riots as curfews hit major cities and government pledges aid

France endured one of its most severe bouts of civil unrest in recent memory, sparked by rising living costs and inadequate public services. Demonstrations that started in Paris’ working-class northern suburbs over school staffing and facilities spread to major cities, leading authorities to impose partial curfews in Paris, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Nice and Marseille. Police numbers, already at 60,000, will be increased as about 2,500 people remain in custody and 149 await trial.

To mitigate economic fallout, the government introduced state-funded furloughs, cash-flow assistance for firms, and insurers committed to swift compensation for damage to more than 3,000 retailers. The turmoil adds pressure to a minority government struggling with a fiscal deficit, rising bond yields and a 2027 presidential race where far-right candidate Marine Le Pen stands to benefit. Unions plan further strikes, and there are warnings that the unrest could spill into neighboring Italy, Albania, Spain and Portugal.