School protests sweeping France cause 'heaviest toll in decades'

Demonstrations erupted across France on Tuesday as teachers, parents, and high school students took to the streets in the most violent student protests in decades, according to Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Police responded by deploying tear gas and water cannons to subdue violent factions in key cities such as Paris, Strasbourg, Rennes, and Toulouse.

The marches attracted over 250,000 participants across dozens of locations, although organizers claimed 450,000 people took part. The latest incident claimed a teenager lost a hand on Monday, adding to the growing public outrage. This wave of protest stems from increasing support for far-right and far-left populist parties ahead of a presidential election in the spring.

The French government faces mounting pressure to address its fiscal challenges, including managing a high public debt while grappling with weak economic growth. Recently, Macron's allies lost their parliamentary majority in the 2024 vote, leaving the administration struggling to pass a budget. Lecornu informed lawmakers that at least 215 teenagers and 85 school staff members have been affected by the unrest.