Clashes, blazes and wide-scale looting grip France on day of protests

Student protests in France have tested the Republican promise of controlling secondary school demonstrations, with the movement continuing to grow into its fourth week. On October 13, 161,500 protesters took to the streets, while student organizations and trade unions estimated the number to be as high as 480,000. The number of schools closed by the protests dropped from 800 to 214, but the decrease may not be immediately apparent on the streets.

The next protest is planned for October 17, and it is expected to bring together school and university students, trade unions, farmers, and those involved in the Gilets Jaunes protests. The demands for educational reform are now joined by concerns over rising living costs and the challenges faced by farmers. While protests with diffused focus often fade away, the coming weeks will determine if the movement can maintain its social pressure campaign.

Authorities are facing criticism for their response to the expanding mobilization, particularly due to the young participants involved. Economic pressure is mounting as France approaches its 2027 presidential election, with public debt reaching 119% of GDP. The protests have also created a new battleground between the political left and right over the future of France's social model.