French PM warns against escalation of school protests after 164 arrested

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has cautioned against escalating the ongoing student protests, following the arrest of 164 individuals on Monday. The demonstrations, which began in Paris and have spread to other regions, are driven by concerns such as overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and issues related to the Parcoursup application platform used for higher education applications.

Lecornu emphasized in a post on X that acts of vandalism, fires, and violence near schools do not justify putting students, staff, or police officers at risk. However, a French union representing high school students defended the protests as a legitimate response to the conditions they face. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that 12 security force members, 12 students, and three school staff were injured during Monday's events, while 180 schools were affected.

He did not disclose further information about those arrested. The protests originated in the Île-de-France region around Paris and have since expanded to other parts of France, including Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Marseille, Lille, and Sedan. The Union Syndicale Lycéenne, which represents students, highlighted issues like inadequate staffing, dilapidated facilities, and overcrowded schedules in their social media post.

They urged students to blockade schools on Tuesday to protect their rights and oppose budget cuts. Meanwhile, unions representing teachers, hospital workers, and civil servants also called for a day of strikes to address issues including low wages and working conditions. Lecornu acknowledged the need to address the challenges faced by high schools but stressed that violence must be condemned outright and those responsible must face consequences.

He also accused the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party of encouraging students to broaden the movement. LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon countered, blaming the Lecornu government for ordering the crackdown on the protests and calling the participants "harmless." Interior Minister Nuñez, however, described the demonstrations as more akin to urban violence, involving masked individuals with fireworks and projectiles who sought to confront security forces.

Investigations have been launched into several incidents of violence between students and police officers, such as a police officer firing from a grenade launcher, injuring a student.