Protests in France: Special forces arrest suspect after town hall fire

Special forces have arrested a suspected arsonist after the fire in the town hall of the central French city of Limoges during the nationwide riots over the weekend. According to information from the AFP news agency, an anti-terrorism unit took over the investigation. As the newspaper "Le Parisien" and the broadcaster CNews report, the 40-year-old is registered as a threat because of violence against public officials and is classified as a left-wing radical.

On Saturday, rioters set fire to the Limoges town hall on the sidelines of protests against the high cost of living. The historical part of the building from the 19th century burned down completely, the bell tower collapsed in flames. The burning town hall became a symbol of violence across the country and internationally, some of which was specifically directed against state institutions.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised state support for reconstruction and announced a visit to Limoges on Friday. After the unrest, other mayors, including those from Paris, Marseille and Lyon, also denounced the lack of emergency services and their lack of preparation.

On the sidelines of nationwide demonstrations against the high cost of living, in which hundreds of thousands of people took part, mostly peacefully, on Saturday, there were also serious riots and violence in other cities. The government primarily attributes this to left-wing extremists.

Recently, several French cities imposed curfews, which, according to Prime Minister Lecornu, have calmed the situation. “New curfews will be decided this evening where the situation requires it,” he announced. These decisions would be made locally by the prefects in coordination with the mayors.