Prime Minister Urges Calm as French Student Protests Spread to Schools
Sébastien Lecornu warned that any further escalation of the student protests would be "irresponsible" after Monday’s arrest of 164 demonstrators. The demonstrations began in Paris and have spread across the Île‑de‑France region, with teenagers blocking their schools for days amid complaints of overcrowded classes, teacher shortages and dilapidated facilities.
Lecornu posted on X that “fireworks, fires, violence near high schools: nothing justifies endangering students, staff or police officers.” His comment comes after Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said twelve security forces, twelve students and three school staff were injured and 180 schools were affected.
Student unions, citing long‑dated policies of Macron’s government, label the blockades as a legitimate response to entrenched systemic failures. They urged students to continue blocking schools “in defense of their rights and against budget austerity.”
While the unions defend the protests, government officials describe them as urban violence. Nuñez compared them to suspects armed with fireworks and projectiles who “clearly wanted to confront internal security forces.” He added that the incidents “were not about making demands; it was purely violence.”
Investigations are underway after reports that a police officer fired a round from a grenade launcher at a student, according to BFMTV. Lecornu has called for the perpetrators of violence to be held accountable but also acknowledged the students’ concerns about their schooling environment.
The protests have reached cities beyond Paris, with incidents reported in Marseille, Lille, and the Ardennes region. The movement’s spread reflects broader frustration among French youth over austerity measures and the state of public education.
