France braces for more student protests as tens of thousands expected to turn out in Paris
Tens of thousands of students and trade unionists are protesting in Paris against poor educational conditions and infrastructure. The movement has seen violent clashes with police, leading to numerous injuries as the country approaches the 2027 presidential election.
Why it matters
The unrest reflects growing social dissatisfaction in France, potentially impacting the political landscape ahead of the upcoming presidential transition.
TENS OF THOUSANDS of demonstrators are expected on the streets of Paris today as France’s powerful trade unions join high school students rallying for better conditions in a wave of protests marked by clashes with police.
Students have blocked the entrances to hundreds of high schools for 15 to 17-year-olds since late September, complaining of missing teachers, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings that cannot cope with rising temperatures.
While many protests have been peaceful, some demonstrators have lit dustbin fires, destroyed bus shelters or clashed with riot police, who have responded with batons, tear gas and riot-control rounds.
The government says 215 students and 715 police officers have been injured since the start of the movement, with a 15-year-old losing a hand on Monday after, according to a police union source, he picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot officers.
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14 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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