French school blockades continue despite PM’s pledge to act
French teenagers blockaded some high schools and marched through cities on Thursday after the government promised to address their grievances about teacher shortages and dilapidated school buildings but gave no specific details. The protest movement, now into its third week, has exposed deep tensions in France between popular demands for investments in deteriorating public services and a…
After the French government pledged to address students' concerns over teacher shortages and outdated school facilities, high school blockades have continued for a third week. The movement, which has seen hundreds of arrests and injuries, exposes tensions between demands for public service investments and a government under pressure to reduce debt.
On Wednesday, the government suspended stun grenades' use in policing protests. Education ministry data shows 224 high schools were closed on Thursday morning, while 151 reopened partially. The number of closures has dropped by 30% compared to Wednesday. Live footage showed protests in Nantes, Rennes, Bron, Toulon, and Marseille on Thursday, two days after nationwide demonstrations.
Near Helene Boucher high school in Paris, a barricade of rubbish bins formed, leading to scuffles with police. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised a "concrete, quick, and fully funded response" by late October, but no details were provided. Online consultations gathered over 43,000 responses in two days. The government faces pressure from various sectors and market concerns about strained finances.
Prime Minister Lecornu addressed the nation Wednesday, vowing to present solutions by late October, while far-right candidate Marine Le Pen blamed protests for school damage and called for reparations. Her hard-left opponent Jean-Luc Melenchon praised the students and denounced police brutality. A recent Elabe poll shows 72% of French people think the students' demands are legitimate, but 55% believe protests should end.
Belgian protests occurred outside schools and universities, with Liege imposing a ban on gatherings of over three people until October 16.
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