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France began Tuesday dealing with the fallout from a weekend of riots, with damaged shops, mounting anger and overnight curfews in parts of Paris.
Police restricted access to Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district from 11 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Local authorities also introduced curfews for minors in several other cities, including Lille and Nice.
The unrest followed weeks of student protests and broader demonstrations over rising living costs and struggling public services. Some gatherings descended into looting, fires and clashes with police.
President Emmanuel Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s offer to resign, instead demanding answers about security failures and changes to policing. Authorities reported at least 2,400 arrests and around 3,000 businesses damaged or looted.
For affected shopkeepers and employees, the immediate concern is how to reopen and keep businesses running. The government said support allowing businesses to temporarily reduce employees’ working hours would be available from Tuesday.
Meanwhile, student gatherings and blockades continued Monday, including at the Louvre and Sciences Po university in Paris. Unions have called another round of strikes and demonstrations for Nov. 5, keeping pressure on the government beyond the immediate cleanup.
For people traveling from Cyprus, the practical concern is disruption near demonstrations and areas under police restrictions. Several European governments have urged visitors to avoid crowds and follow local authorities’ instructions. Travel to France remains possible, although Malaysia has advised postponing nonessential trips.
*Source: Reuters, AP News
