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Dense smoke rises around the central statue in Place de la République in Paris, France, on the 17th (local time). / AFP, Yonhap

The French government admitted to initial response failures during the large-scale violence that swept the nation on the 17th (local time) and has embarked on massive security reinforcement measures, including the deployment of military forces, ahead of further protests scheduled for the 24th, AP and Reuters reported on the 21st.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated before parliament on the 20th that the foremost immediate priority following the looting and violence across major cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille is restoring public order, adding that a large-scale security and troop deployment will take place over the coming weekend.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez explained that troops from Operation Sentinelle, an anti-terrorism military force, will be deployed to key vulnerable sites, alongside securing additional police and gendarmerie personnel for crowd control. He also stated that the government accepted criticism regarding security lapses and will comprehensively overhaul on-site response tactics, including intelligence gathering mechanisms and force allocations.

To maintain order, partial overnight curfews were imposed across major cities.

Paris police stated that calm was restored overnight following nighttime curfew orders imposed on designated sectors, including Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district, adding that these measures will remain in effect "for as long as necessary." Helicopters illuminated Place de la République from above with searchlights to monitor curfew compliance, AFP reported.

Lyon, one of France's major metropolitan cities, also extended its curfew in downtown areas from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

France's second-largest city, Marseille, imposed a curfew order beginning on the night of the 20th targeting unaccompanied minors. Prime Minister Lecornu noted that the curfew measures "helped preserve calm overnight."

Responses by judicial authorities are also getting into full swing. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin stated that approximately 2,400 people were arrested nationwide over the weekend. Among them, more than 800 individuals were referred to prosecutors, and 149 were remanded in custody.

The judiciary emphasized that it will respond sternly to participants in looting and property destruction, handing down prison sentences even to first-time offenders. Minister Darmanin noted that the judiciary will be "extremely firm," adding that he instructed prosecutors to appeal any verdicts deemed overly lenient.

He also stated that a suspect accused of torching the city hall in Limoges in central France was arrested and placed under detention, with authorities investigating whether others were involved. Local media reported that the suspect is an individual affiliated with radical environmentalist groups listed on the state security watchlist (Fiche S). While withholding the suspect's identity, Minister Darmanin pointed out there are indications that far-left groups acted systematically to target state symbols across the country.

Compounding concerns over fiscal instability, expanding turmoil from the protests and violence drove a continued decline in French sovereign bond prices, with the 10-year government bond yield climbing to as high as 4.96% during trading on the 20th.

Major supermarket chain Carrefour stated that it sustained tens of millions of euros in losses from theft and property damage, noting that it faces an "unprecedented situation" due to the current turmoil.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun