DOMINANT ANGLE
Buenos Aires views the French crisis as a political test for Macron and Lecornu: curfew, Nuñez's refused resignation, and an already launched presidential campaign.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Lecornu announced on Monday, October 19, that he had asked prefects for "several partial curfews" (Perfil), with Les Halles being cited as a sensitive area.
- 02
Around 2,400 arrests and nearly 1,000 police officers injured, according to the Ministry of the Interior, with Macron having refused Nuñez's resignation (Ámbito).
- 03
The CAC 40 fell by 1.5% on Monday, and the euro was at 1.1208 dollars, according to AFP as cited by Perfil.
ANALYSIS
Buenos Aires, October 19, 2026. The Argentine press is following the French crisis as a test for the executive ahead of the presidential election. Perfil reports that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Monday, October 19, after a crisis meeting, that he was asking prefects to decree "several partial curfews", without specifying the cities. He cited Les Halles, a problematic point due to its symbolic value and transportation connections. In Marseille, demonstrations were banned from 12 pm to 8 pm, and Denain imposed a nighttime curfew.
Ámbito highlights that a state of emergency remains an option, with Lecornu considering curfews more suitable for the situation. The newspaper links the measure to the proposed resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, which was rejected by Emmanuel Macron, who demands new police methods. Perfil notes that the executive had to acknowledge a failure in anticipation and maintaining order, and quotes Macron calling for "new operating methods" against barricades and looting.
The balance sheet is detailed: around 2,400 arrests, nearly 1,000 police officers injured according to the Interior Ministry, 3,000 looted businesses according to Perfil, one death from cardiac arrest in Paris, and the burning of the city hall in Limoges. La Nación describes Macron's speech on Sunday, October 18: "anger and shame", distinguishing between legitimate protesters and vandals, "Those who destroyed must pay", while the majority and opposition accuse each other. MercoPress recalls that Marine Le Pen is questioning Jean-Luc Mélenchon and that Jordan Bardella believes that "order no longer exists in this country". NGOs denounce the disproportionate use of force against minors.
The economic angle is also dominant: Perfil headlines European markets falling on Monday, with the CAC 40 losing 1.5% and the euro retreating to 1.1208 dollars, the violence reviving fears about public accounts. Clarín expands to Italy, where Milan experienced looting over the weekend. Ámbito finally reports on a new mobilization of the yellow vests on Saturday, October 24, which the authorities fear.
