Since the Paris attacks on Friday night, France has been living under a nationwide state of emergency not seen since 1961, when army generals attempted a coup d’état during the Algerian war. On Monday the government could seek to extend the powers for several months.



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What does state of emergency mean?

The procedure harks back to the start of the Algerian war in the 1950s, giving exceptional powers to authorities, including the right to set curfews, limit the movement of people, forbid mass gatherings, establish secure zones where people can be monitored and close public spaces such as theatres, bars, museums and other meeting places. It can also allow for controls to be imposed on the media (though the government has said there would be no controls on media in this case).



Most significant for the French state in the current context are the powers given to the security services and police to act without judicial oversight. They can conduct house searches at any time, enforce house arrest and confiscate certain classes of weapons, even if people hold them legally.

What’s happened so far?

Using the special measures, 168 homes have been raided and 104 people have been placed under house arrest in the past 48 hours. These have led to 23 arrests and the seizure of 31 weapons.

Has anything like this been done before?

France had used the state of emergency rules twice in the past 30 years – but only for specific geographical areas, never nationwide. In 1985 a state of emergency was declared in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia after unrest. In 2005, during the riots on suburban housing estates, a state of emergency was declared in several areas, allowing curfews in some parts, but the full powers of the emergency measures were not put into practice.

How long will it go on for?

A state of emergency can only last 12 days, after which a vote is needed to define and prolong the measures. On Sunday the French president, François Hollande, was reported to have told parliamentarians he was considering an extension of three months.