(London = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Ji-yeon = France, marred by violent protests last weekend, will implement a regional partial curfew for the second day on the 20th (local time). In addition, it was decided to deploy a large number of security personnel, including military personnel, to the demonstration scheduled for the 24th.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on the morning of the 20th (local time) through
Prime Minister Lecornu added, “The decision to impose a curfew will be made on the spot by local administrators in consultation with mayors.”
In Paris, the second curfew will begin at 9 p.m., Paris police announced.
Across France, about 500,000 people held large-scale protests on the 17th to protest the lack of investment in public sectors such as education and high prices. The protest degenerated into violence as some participants committed arson of public facilities, looting of stores, and vandalism. The looting continued until the night of the 18th.
Accordingly, the French government recommended restrictive measures such as a curfew in each region, and a partial curfew was implemented in the capital Paris and northern Lille overnight on the 20th. Bordeaux in the southwest and Nice in the south said curfews would remain in place for several days.
According to the AFP news agency, a helicopter was placed in the Place de la République in Paris, where a curfew was imposed from the night of the 19th to the early morning of the 20th, shining a light from above to monitor compliance with the curfew.
Although a ban on gatherings was issued in Lyon, about 500 people gathered in front of the local tourist office building. The building suffered arson damage during weekend protests, and organizers said people gathered with candles to show solidarity with local merchants who were looted.
French authorities and local governments are taking a strong stance without letting down their guard.
The day before, the 'Yellow Vest' movement announced that there would be a 'second act' of protests on the 24th. “We are pleased that the situation calmed down last night, but we anticipate what will come next,” Cannes Mayor David Lisnar told RTL radio.
According to AFP, AP, and Reuters, Prime Minister Le Cornut said he would deploy police forces "on a large scale" to protests on the 24th and that the goal was to "immediately restore order."
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said in parliament, "We will deploy troops from Sentinel (the military's counter-terrorism security operation) as replacements for the internal security forces," adding, "We want to allow the police and gendarmerie to focus on their mission of maintaining order."
Paris police announced a temporary ban on possession of oil and gas bottles, cans and fireworks throughout France. Additionally, wearing protective gear such as helmets is prohibited in areas near high schools and universities.
It is estimated that approximately 3,000 stores were damaged throughout France due to this violence.
According to Bloomberg News, the head of global insurance at Morningstar DBRS estimated in a report that the economic cost of this incident was 1 billion to 1.2 billion euros (about 1.5 trillion to 1.8 trillion won).
In a statement issued the day before, the Paris Merchants' Federation urged the government to respond, saying, "It is not normal for us to have to hire private security companies to protect the safety of our facilities. Paris and our neighborhood represent the image of France, and this is ruining our country's reputation."
Patrick Martin, president of the French Business Council (MEDEF), criticized the state for failing to respond to the riots.
French Economy Minister Roland Lescure held a meeting with business groups, banking and insurance companies on the 20th and promised to come up with measures to support merchants who have suffered damage.
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said 149 people were detained as of noon on this day. Since the 17th, 2,500 people have been arrested and about 800 have been sent to prosecutors. Most of them were either summarily tried or ordered to appear at a later hearing.
In the northern city of Lille, three men aged 20 to 25 with no criminal record were immediately tried and sentenced to 10 months in prison for looting a video game store in the old city center, Minister Darmanin said.
French authorities also arrested a man on suspicion of setting fire to Limoges City Hall. The sight of the entire roof of Limoges City Hall engulfed in flames was a symbolic image of the violent protests that took place on the 17th and caused a great shock both inside and outside of France.
AFP reported that the suspect appears to have been linked to far-left movements and was placed under surveillance as a potential threat.
As chaos grows in France due to protests and violence in addition to financial instability, French government bond prices continue to decline.
The interest rate on 10-year French government bonds rose to 4.96% during intraday trading on the 20th, and the difference in interest rates on 10-year government bonds between France and Germany widened beyond 1.5 percentage points (p) to 1.54 percentage points.
Earlier this month, when financial instability rapidly spread, French government bonds rose to 4.9937%, the highest since July 2002, and the interest rate difference with German government bonds widened to 1.59%p, which is close to this level.
Meanwhile, the value of French government bonds has recently been declining due to a surge in French public debt, widening fiscal deficit, and doubts about the budget plan due to political division. Market anxiety grew further last weekend as large-scale protests demanding increased public sector investment took place and even led to violence.
