France deploys military to combat widespread rioting and looting

The French government is deploying military personnel to support police and gendarmerie in response to escalating violence and organized rioting across the country. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that the unrest has been organized in an "unprecedented manner," with officials pointing to far-left groups as potential instigators.

Recent protests, initially sparked by rising living costs and public sector investment shortages, have resulted in significant economic damage. Estimates suggest that approximately 3,000 shops have been looted or damaged, with total economic losses projected between 1 billion and 1.2 billion euros. Major retailers, including Carrefour and luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior, have reported extensive damage.

In response to the chaos, authorities have implemented nighttime curfews in major cities such as Paris, Lyon, Nice, and Lille. The government has also banned the possession of certain items like fireworks and flammable liquids in public. To mitigate the economic impact, the government has promised interest-free loans of up to 50,000 euros for affected businesses and support for displaced workers.