DOMINANT ANGLE
Rome is gauging the international shockwave of the French riots: curfews announced by Lecornu, but above all the image of a weakened France, which Moscow, Washington, and Bukele are each exploiting in their own way.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Lecornu has requested "partial" and "localized" curfews from prefects starting in the evening, with a state of emergency to be declared only "if useful" (ANSA).
- 02
At least 3,000 commercial activities have been affected or looted; 100% partial unemployment and a specific support fund announced from the next day (ANSA).
- 03
Trump, Vance, Bukele, Moscow, and Tehran have reacted to the riots; Pierre Haski speaks of a weakened France on the global stage (Internazionale, La Repubblica).
ANALYSIS
En Italie, November 14. The ANSA reports on the announcement by Sébastien Lecornu: following an interministerial crisis meeting in Paris, the Prime Minister has asked prefects to "declare some curfews" starting in the evening. These are "partial" and "localized" measures aimed at protecting businesses after Saturday's protests against the high cost of living, which degenerated into devastation and looting in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux. The map of curfews is to be published in the afternoon, after consultation with mayors. A state of emergency will only be declared "if necessary"; for now, curfews "seem more suitable".
The agency quantifies the damage: "at least 3,000 commercial activities" affected or looted. Lecornu promises partial unemployment (the "cassa integrazione") starting the next day, covered at 100%, and a "specific support fund" for merchants.
La Repubblica broadens the scope. It shows high school students blocking the entrance to the Louvre, with signs explaining to tourists: "We are fighting against their government and its policies hostile to public services". In Marseille, demonstrations are banned from 12 pm to 8 pm, and the "yellow vests" announce a "second act" for next Saturday. The newspaper also notes Moscow's reaction, which speaks of a "crisis on the brink of chaos". In an interview, expert Leonardo Bianchi describes young people who self-organize on TikTok, outside traditional organizations, and draw inspiration from foreign mobilizations, thinking of them "as viral trends". The title evokes a challenge to France, with a glance towards Italy.
Internazionale publishes the column by Pierre Haski, "A weakened France on the global stage". Donald Trump wrote that "France is burning" and called for borders to be closed; JD Vance accused "liberals" of having imported the Third World; Nayib Bukele claims that France would solve its problems in a week by imitating him. Haski notes that, two weeks before the US midterm elections, these images serve the supporters of a strong approach. He also cites Iran, which summoned the French ambassador to denounce police violence. The photos of the Limoges town hall in flames and the clashes on the Place de la République, he writes, have made the rounds of the world.
The Italian coverage thus follows two threads: the immediate management of public order by the French executive, and the external gaze on a crisis that damages the country's image.
SOURCES (3)
- InternazionaleMEDIUM
