France imposes curfews after cost-of-living riots

The French government on Monday, October 20, 2026, ordered partial curfews in several cities across the country after a weekend of riots and looting, according to BBC News Mundo. The measure gives local mayors the authority to restrict movement in response to the social crisis gripping the European nation.

The protests began last month with student complaints about school conditions, but they quickly intensified due to the general rise in the cost of living and the deterioration of public services, according to reports from BBC Mundo and El Comercio. The economic discontent has led various sectors to demand urgent financial relief in the face of lost purchasing power.

Amid this climate of tension, the country's main union, the CFDT, called for a monthly wage increase of 100 euros for French workers, El Comercio reported. Meanwhile, the newspaper Expansión said the government is discussing with public-sector unions a pay revaluation that includes an annual increase of 4.5% and an additional 0.5% adjustment linked to the consumer price index (CPI).

The impact of the social crisis is already visible in financial markets and the real economy. According to France 24, France's risk premium rose to 146 basis points on Monday, while the Federation of Commerce and Distribution counted some 3,000 stores affected by the riots and looting across the country.

In response to the escalation of violence, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the executive will push for a law requiring those responsible for material damage to bear the cost of repairs, as well as activating a partial unemployment fund for workers affected by the halt in commercial activity. Going forward, authorities will monitor the evolution of social discontent ahead of upcoming meetings with union representatives.