France's government has favored targeted curfews and heightened policing over declaring a state of siege under Article 36 of the Constitution, which requires a Council of Ministers decree for imminent peril from foreign war or armed insurrection and parliamentary approval after 12 days. October 2026 unrest involving riots and looting prompted Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to impose localized restrictions in cities including Paris while stating stronger emergency powers remained available if needed, though none were invoked. Subsequent protests and school blockades have been managed through existing security measures and anti-terror provisions rather than national emergency powers. Upcoming demonstrations and any escalation in public order challenges could influence assessments of whether conditions meet the legal threshold.