Curfews restore calm in France as Macron tours Gulf

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Tuesday that overnight curfews helped produce a "calm" night across France following a weekend of violent rioting, though some areas remain under restrictions. Public discontent over living costs and services remains high. The unrest erupted after weeks of demonstrations over education and the cost of living, with hundreds of thousands marching peacefully but pockets of violence shocking the country, including looting and a fire at Limoges Town Hall. Over 3,000 shops were sacked, and French assets sold off Monday amid skepticism about the government's ability to reduce its deficit. Criticism is mounting over President Emmanuel Macron's three-day Middle East tour during the crisis, with commentators questioning his leadership. The government has established a support fund for damaged businesses and faces a divided parliament with no majority ahead of presidential elections in April 2027.