France continued to face unrest on Monday as the government prepared measures to address student grievances following weeks of demonstrations, school blockades and incidents of violence.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was scheduled to meet representatives of high school and university students in Paris. National Education Minister Édouard Geffray and Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste were also expected to participate in discussions, followed by a news conference.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Lecornu was scheduled to meet student representatives on October 26.
Education ministers Édouard Geffray and Philippe Baptiste were expected to join the discussions.
Macron visited Marseille following earlier incidents of rioting and looting.
The government pledged concrete measures to address student demands.
Authorities reported 1,435 arrests during the latest weekend demonstrations.
Officials reported injuries to 267 police officers and gendarmes and 150 protesters.
The protests began in mid-September, with students demanding better school facilities, more teachers, improved learning conditions and changes to university admissions procedures. The movement subsequently expanded amid broader concerns about the rising cost of living and public services.
President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday, including the city hall damaged during the violence on October 17. He also met shopkeepers affected by looting and vandalism and acknowledged the need for the government to respond to students' demands.
Macron said the government would announce concrete measures to address the grievances behind the protest movement. The authorities have faced criticism over their handling of the demonstrations, including the police response and serious injuries sustained by some young protesters.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The protests have increased pressure on the French government to improve education conditions and respond to broader economic concerns. Its proposed measures could influence the course of demonstrations in the coming weeks.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that 1,435 people were arrested during the latest weekend demonstrations. He also reported injuries to 267 police officers and gendarmes and 150 protesters.
Although the latest demonstrations were less violent overall than those on October 17, clashes and incidents of property damage were reported in several cities. The government is seeking to restore public order while addressing concerns over education and living costs.
