French PM considers emergency declaration amid violent protests, exploring all options

French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, responded to speculation about a potential state of emergency in the country amidst ongoing protests by stating that the government is carefully considering “all options” in order to restore order.

_{^{French government explores all options to restore order amid unrest. (Photo: Reuters)}}

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne stated that the government is considering all options to restore order in the country, including declaring a state of emergency, following three nights of rioting over a police officer’s killing of a youth.

When questioned by reporters about the possibility of a state of emergency, Borne responded that they are exploring all options, with the main priority being the restoration of order nationwide.

She made this statement during her visit to a police station in Evry-Courcouronnes, south of Paris, before attending a crisis security meeting chaired by President Emmanuel Macron at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT).

A state of emergency would grant authorities increased powers, such as the ability to impose localized curfews, ban demonstrations, and give police more freedom to restrain suspected rioters and search homes.

President Macron, who cut short his trip to Brussels for an EU summit on Friday, was reportedly ready to adopt new measures “without taboos,” despite some opposition from ministers in the cabinet.

During the 2005 nationwide urban riots, the right-wing government declared a state of emergency after approximately two weeks of clashes, marking the first time such a measure had been used in mainland France since the 1950s.

Right-wing opposition parties, including the far-right National Rally and the Republicans party, have called for a state of emergency to be implemented immediately.

On Thursday evening, around 40,000 security forces were deployed, resulting in 875 arrests overnight, as reported by the interior ministry.

IS IT AN ADMISSION OF FAILURE?

Following the November 2015 terror attacks by jihadist gunmen that claimed 130 lives at the Bataclan concert hall, restaurants, and the national sports stadium, France lived under a state of emergency for two years. During this period, the government had extensive powers, such as closing places of worship and restraining people without trial, to counter terrorism.

In 2017, President Macron passed a new law incorporating many of the anti-terror provisions from the emergency law. However, this move faced criticism from civil liberties groups.

Despite recent rioting and calls for a state of emergency in response, an aide to Macron downplayed the possibility, stating that an “over-reaction” was unnecessary.

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Olivier Klein also expressed opposition to the idea, deeming it “an admission of failure.” He believes that there are still other options to address the situation.

In response to the escalating situation, Clamart, a suburb southwest of Paris, implemented a nightly curfew, and public bus and tram services in the capital region were halted at 9:00 pm. The curfew measure will now be enforced nightly for an indefinite period.

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Toshika Chauhan