School protests spread across France, raising alarm in Macron’s government
School protests that began in the low-income Seine-Saint-Denis area have spread across France, prompting hundreds of schools to close and drawing in some university students. The demonstrations have alarmed President Emmanuel Macron’s government because youth protests can attract wider public support and grow beyond the control of organisers, with national elections approaching.
Students are calling for more funding, teachers and smaller classes, as well as improved school buildings. Around 400 lycées were closed on Friday; the government reported 65 education staff and about 300 police and firefighters injured, while roughly 2,000 people, mainly minors, were taken into custody. A fire destroyed a lycée hall in Nantes, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s draft budget proposes €54bn in spending cuts, intensifying concerns about how the demands will be met.
- School protests have spread from northern Paris across France.
- About 400 lycées were closed on Friday.
- Budget cuts heighten tension over demands for better schools.
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School protests that began in Seine-Saint-Denis, a low-income district near Paris, have spread across France in recent weeks. Hundreds of schools have closed as students and some university students stage demonstrations.
The protesters are calling for increased school funding, more teachers, smaller class sizes and improvements to school buildings. These demands reflect concerns about resources and conditions in the French education system.
The government is alarmed because youth protests can gain momentum and attract wider public support, particularly as national elections approach. Meanwhile, a government budget proposal that includes significant spending cuts makes it harder to meet these demands, creating a difficult situation for both protesters and officials.
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Originally published by BBC World as “School protests send shivers down French government’s spine”.