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France is set to deploy military forces during upcoming protests planned for this coming Saturday, interior minister Laurent Nunez has said.
“We will deploy the Sentinelle force, obviously as a substitute to interior security forces… mostly to free police and gendarmes in their mission to maintain order,” Mr Nunez told the National Assembly.
It comes after prime minister Sebastien Lecornu said police deployment for Satuday’s demonstrations would be “massive” and that his goal was for an “immediate return to order” following a weekend of violent riots.
Last night, the French government imposed partial curfews across the country, including in Paris and Nice, after riots and looting amid nationwide protests over the weekend.
Marseille is set to impose a new curfew on minors each night until Friday, sources have told French media, after prime minister Sebastien Lecornu said the measures last night contributed to “calm” across the country.
Thousands of rioters were arrested during the weekend’s widespread protests, with justice minister Gérald Darmanin promising an “unrelenting” response to violence.
Riots also spread across Europe, with similar incidents in Belgium, Albania and Italy, where the government is set to dispatch 500 army troops to “defend Milan”.
In focus: Want to understand Gen Z protests? Just look at their Gen X parents
Thirty-four years ago next month, Rage Against the Machine’s eponymous debut was released. Though it was a slow burner, it became a commercial and cultural hit, largely due to the popularity of “Killing in the Name”, which became a Gen X anthem. A chorus containing the line “f*** you, I won’t do what you tell me” proved irresistible to nihilistic Nineties teens and young adults, who were angry with the government and a system that they didn’t see working for them.
The song’s chorus speaks directly to where the youth find themselves today. Jonah, 15, has been playing the record on rotation since he was introduced to the band by his dad; the only thing he doesn’t get, according to his dad Simon, 51, is what on earth the Nineties kids had to be so angry about. From a Gen A and Gen Z point of view, their Gen X parents lived the dream, coming of age at a time when houses were affordable, culture more accessible, the job market less scary, and gaining a university degree still delivered on its promise.
Want to understand Gen Z protests? Just look at their Gen X parents
As protests take place across the globe with youth movements demanding better education, affordable housing and better prospects, Chloe Combi, an expert in generational change, explains why the next planned protests for November could bring parents onto the streets with their children
Maira Butt21 October 2026 00:01
The European cities facing protests from Paris to Milan as continent gripped by cost of living crisis
Violent protests have broken out across Europe amid growing frustration over the cost of living crisis, a lack of affordable housing and deteriorating school conditions.
As many as 550,000 people turned out across France on Saturday, according to authorities, to demonstrate against declining public services. Protests turned violent in Paris as shops were looted and cars set on fire in some of the city’s worst violence in years.
Maira Butt20 October 2026 23:00
Watch: France is on fire. Will protests spread to the UK?France is on fire. Will protests spread to the UK?
Maira Butt20 October 2026 22:00
Italy’s Meloni approves tougher anti-riot laws after Milan violence
Italy approved a raft of security measures on Tuesday including a new offence of violent participation in a demonstration, tougher penalties for rioters, and financial liability for parents whose children take part in vandalism and looting.
The move comes after sweeping unrest across the country following protests over the weekend.
“There is nothing revolutionary about vandalising and stealing. Vandalism and theft are not protest, they are criminality,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on social media.
(AFP/Getty)
Maira Butt20 October 2026 21:30
What sparked the fiery protests in France – and how they could spread across Europe
Macron said Nunez should remain to ensure a chain of command is kept within the police and security forces, and has also asked Nunez to set up new approaches to deal with looters, the Elysee added.
It comes after hundreds of people were arrested and buildings set on fire across France on Saturday as protests over the cost of living crisis spread. In Paris, police fired tear gas into crowds on Saturday, while there were also violent incidents reported in Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers.
Maira Butt20 October 2026 21:00
France backs UNESCO drive to involve more young people in political decisions
A UNESCO drive to get more young people into decision-making bodies has won the backing of France’s foreign minister on Tuesday against the backdrop of nationwide protests that have turned violent in some areas.
The appeal, formally adopted by the UN’s cultural and education agency after being drafted by 145 young representatives from 135 countries, calls for youth representation in decision-making bodies, conflict prevention and mediation mechanisms.
“Young people’s voices matter,” Jean-Noel Barrot said on X following UNESCO’s backing of the appeal.
Maira Butt20 October 2026 20:25
French police arrest main suspect behind Limoges town hall fire
The main suspect behind the fire at Limoges town hall has been arrested, a police source and the local public prosecutor have told Le Parisien.
The 34-year-old man, from the Creuse region, is described as an ultra-left activist who was already on France’s security watchlist, they said.
He was arrested in Val-d’Issoire by the Bordeaux special forces at around 6:15am local time (5:15am BST) on Tuesday morning, the report added.
The suspect is reportedly known to the police for acts of violence against people in authority.
The Limoges town hall erupted in a huge blaze during the widespread protests in France on Saturday.
Maira Butt20 October 2026 20:00
Louvre remains closed after students blockade Paris museum
The Louvre in Paris remained closed to visitors on Monday after students blocked its entrances in solidarity with the high school protests that have spread across France.
The blockade was led by students from art history school École du Louvre, who gathered outside the museum early in the morning. Management decided not to open at its scheduled time of 9am, with barriers preventing visitors from entering.
A leaflet distributed at the entrances declared: “We are proud to announce that we are blocking the world’s largest museum.” It accused the government of neglecting public services and called for better conditions for students and workers, and an end to what it described as unacceptable police repression, according to Le Figaro.
The students said they wanted to support high school pupils demanding better educational conditions and call for increased funding for education and culture.
Maira Butt20 October 2026 19:18
Watch: E-bike companies report large losses as piles of cycles burned in France protests
E-bike companies report large losses as piles of cycles burned in France protests
Maira Butt20 October 2026 18:32
French riots and looting hit supermarket chain Carrefour
Carrefour is facing an “unprecedented situation” in France due to riots and looting, the supermarket’s CEO said on Tuesday.
It has forced the company to cut its annual profit margin targets as curfews and higher security costs affect the business. Consumer confidence was already week due to a surge in fuel prices reducing footfall as trading in the fourth quarter began, according to the company.
“The direct costs add up to several tens of millions of euros … of stolen or destroyed merchandise, damaged stores, damaged equipment, and then there are also the stores we were forced to close,” the company’s finance chief Matthieu Malige said on a call with journalists.
“In the weeks to come we will continue to be impacted as some stores have to close earlier due to curfews, and more broadly we think we’re in a new situation marked by deep uncertainty for our customers.”
(Reuters)
Maira Butt20 October 2026 17:50