French presidential campaign heats up as student protests fuel political clashes
Students and public-sector workers are protesting budget cuts and school conditions as authorities report hundreds detained and dozens injured.
- On Tuesday, Sept. 29, high school students across France blockaded dozens of schools to protest overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages, resulting in clashes with police and over 400 detentions as the movement spread nationwide beyond Paris.
- Coordinated disruptions fused with nationwide public-sector strikes as workers and students protested a proposed €54 billion austerity drive, which includes a fourth consecutive annual pay freeze for state employees designed to save €2 billion.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported 440 detentions and 48 injuries to law enforcement officers during violent clashes outside schools. Officials estimated repair costs at €200,000, while students displayed slogans including "more hours of lessons than sleep."
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the escalation as "irresponsible," accusing the far-left France Unbowed party of hijacking the movement. Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon countered, calling the government's response a "crackdown" with "obvious racist undertones."
- The unrest complicates Lecornu's path to passing the 2027 budget, due for unveiling on Thursday. With presidential elections seven months away, the protests underscore deep public dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron's minority government.
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320 Articles
In France's schools, violence is escalating. On Tuesday, more than 400 schools are said to have been affected, especially in immigrant-influenced neighbourhoods. There are about 440 arrests and 31 injured.
Der Tagesspiegel
HandelsblattArson, injured teachers and students: The protests in France's schools are escalating. How does President Macron react?
Arson, injured teachers and students: The protests in France's schools are escalating. How does President Macron react?
Arson, injured teachers and students: The protests in France's schools are escalating. How does President Macron react?
France unrest: Students block schools with far-left backing, more than 400 arrested
High school students demanding teacher raises, school renovations and smaller classes clashed with police amid fires and tear gas; Macron condemned politicians who legitimize violence as anger grew at Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s far-left party
In France, for more than a week, students have been participating in mass protests; demonstrations have begun in the capital region of Ile de France, but have spread rapidly throughout the country; lyceum students (so in the French education system is known as the high school) are not satisfied with the overcrowded classes, the shortage of teachers, the poor state of educational institutions and, in their view, the excessive schedule; according …
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