France to deploy troops as it prepares for more protests after weekend riots
France will deploy Sentinelle troops to support police during demonstrations planned for Saturday, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told parliament; Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the police operation would be “massive”. Reuters reports Lecornu acknowledged intelligence and deployment failures during the weekend’s riots, which followed protests over living costs and declining public services. The government has imposed local curfews, which Lecornu said helped restore calm.
Bottom line — A parliamentary inquiry will examine the unrest as 200 investigators work to identify people involved in the violence.
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Reuters says Lecornu cited intelligence failures, static police deployments and planned police leave as shortcomings in the response.
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The Reuters report says Parliament is setting up an inquiry and authorities have assigned 200 investigators to identify suspects.
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The Independent reports that troops will take over some duties from police and gendarmes, freeing them to focus on maintaining order.
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Reuters reported that France’s Interior Ministry had arrested at least 272 people during Saturday’s violence; later reports put the weekend total above 2,000.
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Reuters reported the CGT union estimated 800,000 people joined the protests; the Interior Ministry did not provide an estimate.
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The Independent reports that curfews were imposed in parts of Paris and other areas after looting and violence.
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Reuters reported that Carrefour said theft and damage had cost it tens of millions of euros, while curfews and store closures were continuing to affect business.