French riots prompt curfew powers as election tensions loom

Rioting, looting and vandalism spread across towns and cities in France over the weekend, prompting Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to say local authorities could impose partial curfews to protect people and businesses. The unrest has also raised questions about the mood ahead of an upcoming election, the BBC reports. [1]

The BBC says the disorder followed protests that began last month, when students demonstrated over conditions in schools. Those protests broadened to reflect other concerns among some people in France. Its Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield examines whether the recent violence signals a more tense election period. [1]