France Expands Curfews, Vows 'Massive' Police Amid Escalating National Unrest

France's Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has announced that new curfews will be enforced across the country wherever needed, signaling a firm government response to weeks of escalating protests and recent widespread violence. This comes after curfews were already imposed in cities like Paris, Nice, and Lyon, following incidents of looting and a tourist office being set on fire during weekend demonstrations. Lecornu has also promised a 'massive' deployment of police for upcoming protests, accusing 'ultra-left radical groups' of trying to create an 'insurrectionary plan'. The unrest, which initially began with students demonstrating against poor school conditions and a lack of investment, has now grown into a wider expression of frustration over rising living costs and general government policies. French authorities are facing pressure, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez having offered his resignation, which President Emmanuel Macron refused. The situation reflects a broader wave of European social unrest, driven by similar economic challenges and discontent. With France just six months away from presidential elections, the government is under immense pressure to restore order and address the underlying grievances. The National Assembly has launched an inquiry into the recent violence and the police's handling of the situation. As more protests are planned, all eyes are on how the government's intensified security measures and its efforts to understand public anger will play out in the coming days.