French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is set to deliver a national address on student protests that have spread nationwide, starting in the Paris region in late September. The protests, which have resulted in an estimated 260,000 people taking to the streets, highlight concerns over poor school buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of teachers. Lecornu's address will also cover soaring fuel prices, problems on French farms following last summer's drought, and the country's financial situation.
The student protests have led to significant disruptions, with hundreds of French schools closed and 6,547 arrests made since the start of the protests. Over 700 police officers and gendarmes have been injured, and police tactics have come under scrutiny. The use of stun grenades during clashes with student protesters has been suspended following an incident in Lens, northern France, where a 15-year-old's left hand was blown off.
Lecornu has called on students to return to classrooms to discuss their concerns, describing the day as an exercise in internal democracy. However, his plea has been rejected by the high school student union USL, which plans further nationwide protests. The main union representing headteachers, the SNPDEN-UNSA, has also refused to implement Lecornu's plan, with national secretary Nicolas Bonnet stating that more than just consultation sessions are needed to address the crisis.
Bonnet emphasized that students are seeking a rethink of issues such as the university admissions system, which has been raised by headteachers. He added that resources and teachers are needed, citing the case of contract teachers who were not re-employed at the start of the academic year. Bonnet also called on President Macron to take charge of the situation, meet with young people, and provide answers.
President Macron met with Lecornu, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, and Education Minister Édouard Geffray on Tuesday night. Nuñez announced that police would no longer use stun grenades during clashes with student protesters until the facts of the case have been established. An investigation by the police force's General Inspectorate IGPN will examine whether the shot was fired in line with regulations.
Lecornu has accused the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) of fanning the flames of the protests and throwing the country into chaos just months before the presidential election. The government is expected to face criticism during debates on the draft budget for 2027 in the finance committee of the National Assembly. Trade unions in the agricultural sector say the draft budget fails to include a promised recovery plan to help farmers who suffered losses during the repeated heatwaves and drought last summer.
The national address by Lecornu is expected to address the concerns of students, farmers, and the general public. The Prime Minister's office stated that Lecornu will discuss the situation in secondary schools, fuel prices, the agricultural crisis, and the country's financial situation. The address comes as the government faces mounting pressure to address the various crises affecting the country.
Key points
- French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to address student protests, fuel prices, and financial situation in national address
- Student protests have resulted in 6,547 arrests and over 700 police officers and gendarmes injured
- Police use of stun grenades during clashes with student protesters has been suspended pending investigation
