France Warns Against Escalating Student Protests Amid Arrests

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has urged an end to the escalating student protests across France, warning that further escalation would be “irresponsible.” His comments followed the arrest of 164 individuals on Monday amid demonstrations that have seen students blockading schools for days.

The protests, which began in the Île-de-France region around Paris, highlight concerns over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and the stress associated with the university application platform, Parcoursup. Students and their supporters attribute these conditions to a decade of government policies and underfunding.

Lecornu, addressing reported incidents including the use of fireworks and violence near high schools, stated on X that “nothing justifies endangering students, staff, or police officers.” He acknowledged that “the difficulties of high schools must be heard and addressed,” but emphasized that “violence must be condemned unequivocally, and its perpetrators must answer for their actions.”

The Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, reported that 12 members of the security forces, 12 students, and three school staff sustained injuries on Monday, with 180 schools impacted. Nuñez described the demonstrations as deviating from typical protest movements, likening them instead to “urban violence” perpetrated by masked individuals armed with fireworks and projectiles, seemingly intent on confronting security forces rather than presenting demands.

Conversely, the Union Syndicale Lycéenne, a union representing high school students, defended the protests as a “legitimate response” to their current conditions. The union attributed the issues to “10 years of Macron's policies and the lack of resources in the national education system” and called for continued school blockades to defend students' rights against budget austerity.

The movement has spread beyond the Paris region to other parts of France, including Marseille, Lille, and the Ardennes. Reports of vandalism and confrontations with police have emerged, including an incident where a police officer reportedly fired a crowd-control grenade launcher, injuring a student. Investigations into such incidents have been initiated.

Meanwhile, unions representing teachers, hospital staff, and civil servants also initiated a day of walkouts on Tuesday to protest issues including low wages and working conditions.

Prime Minister Lecornu accused the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party of encouraging the expansion of the student movement. LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, however, blamed the government for ordering a crackdown on what he described as “harmless” high school students.