French Students' Protests Draw on Long History of Street Activism

Students across France have been staging protests and blocking access to high schools since late September, voicing concerns about underfunding, staff shortages, and dilapidated facilities. The movement has seen significant unrest, with hundreds of students, teachers, and police officers injured, and thousands arrested.

Protesters point to issues such as teachers being absent without replacement for extended periods and school buildings suffering from poor maintenance, including inadequate heating during heat waves. Other complaints include long school days extending until 6 p.m. and dissatisfaction with the Parcoursup online platform used for higher education admissions, which many find opaque.

Despite these grievances, data from the OECD suggests that France spends more per upper-secondary student than the EU average. While teacher shortages are an issue, they are not more acute than in other countries according to OECD measures, though French teachers receive relatively low pay. The extended school day is attributed to long lunch breaks and complex scheduling rather than a lack of holidays. Competition for university places is also a stressor in most European countries.

Unprecedented Scale and Tactics

The scale and intensity of the current protests, however, have been described as unprecedented. Blockading schools or universities by force is illegal and often leads to police intervention, with clashes sometimes involving outside agitators and students caught in crowd control operations.

This form of protest is deeply rooted in a French political tradition where public policy is frequently influenced by street demonstrations. Historically, student activism has led to significant government concessions.

In October 1990, protests following a school rape in Seine-Saint-Denis resulted in the equivalent of €1.2 billion (£1 billion) being allocated for lycées. In 1998, a national march by 500,000 pupils over similar demands led to nearly €1 billion for school renovations and the hiring of 14,000 additional staff.

Student protests have also successfully thwarted government reforms, including a university overhaul in 1986 and a proposal for a lower youth minimum wage in 1994. A particularly impactful protest in 2006 led to the withdrawal of a law intended to make it easier to dismiss young workers, a law that had already been passed by parliament.

Broader Precedents in French Activism

The strategy of blockading and demonstrating extends beyond student movements. The gilets jaunes (yellow vests) uprising in 2018-2019, characterized by widespread unrest and damage to property, compelled the government to withdraw a fuel tax increase and allocate €10 billion in spending.

While not all protests succeed—the 1968 student uprising ultimately ended with an election—demonstrators in France often compete with elected officials to be seen as the legitimate voice of the people. Current polling indicates that 72% of French people view the students' demands as legitimate, with 55% supporting the movement. The protesters have garnered support from many teachers, labor unions, and left-wing politicians.

Government's Limited Capacity

The current government faces significant political and financial constraints. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, facing a deeply unpopular President Emmanuel Macron who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, is leading an administration hobbled by a gridlocked National Assembly following a snap election. The government is also contending with rising borrowing costs, a substantial budget deficit, and a high level of public debt. These financial pressures limit its capacity to offer concessions, potentially altering the dynamics of the current standoff with the students.