French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu said that targeted curfews introduced in parts of Paris and other major cities “have contributed to calm overnight,” as he suggested more curfews could be introduced if needed today.
In a particular symbol of stepped up security measures, a helicopter flew over the French capital’s Place de la Republique, one of the epicentres of the unrest, sweeping a powerful searchlight across the square, AFP said.
While some restrictions, such as those in Paris, initially applied only for the night from Monday to Tuesday, others, particularly in Bordeaux and Nice, were set to remain in force for several days, the agency noted.
Meanwhile, Italy’s government decided to dispatch 500 army troops to Milan after two days of unrest in the city, with shops in the city centre affected by riots and looting.
I will keep an eye on the latest from both France and Italy.
Elsewhere, the European parliament in Strasbourg will debate EU-UK relations this morning , and Nato’s Mark Rutte will host the Turkish foreign minister for talks. Lithuania’s president Gitanas Nausėda is in Poland to discuss regional security.
It’s Tuesday, 20 October 2026 , it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live .