France on the brink
France is experiencing widespread unrest following student protests over public sector funding and service quality. Political experts suggest the instability and economic challenges are strengthening the position of far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the intersection of economic austerity, public dissatisfaction, and the rise of populist political movements in Europe.
France is reeling after a weekend of riots and looting that flashed across the country's key cities, leaving hundreds of shops and businesses destroyed.
So how did a wave of student protests over school conditions that started out peacefully explode into nationwide unrest that left public buildings stormed and set alight?
On this episode, expert on French politics Dr Emanuelle Schon-Quinlivan explains what the protests are about and what it all means for French politics.
"It started with students protesting about the conditions in their schools. It’s the result of huge funding issues in the public sector," she says.
Dr Schon-Quinlivan explains that the students were joined by broader sections of French society who have very genuine grievances about crumbling public services.
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