Half a million take to the streets

More than half a million people protested in occasionally violent demonstrations last weekend, posing a mounting political challenge for the French government.

Schools sparked the movement

The protests began roughly a month ago over concerns about the sorry state of public high schools, which are frequently underfunded and understaffed.

Grievances have expanded

In the weeks since, student protests have rapidly expanded to encompass a wider range of grievances around inequality, high living costs and public services.

Violence spreads across cities

In Paris, masked rioters trashed businesses and set fires.Students blocked the Louvre Museum on Monday, forcing it to close.

Government imposes curfews

The national government has responded with curfews for parts of cities including Paris, Nice, and Lille, as well as emphatic condemnations of the violence.

Macron promises partnership

In a televised address on Sunday night, French President Emmanuel Macron promised to partner with students, teachers, trade unions and other groups to identify joint solutions.

No clear path forward

Initial student demands were concrete educational reforms like smaller class sizes and less chaotic schedules. But current demands are more diffuse, reflecting a sense that there is no desirable future for young people in France.

“there is no desirable future”

Far right exploits the moment

The situation is one that the French far right is already exploiting, just six months before the country's next presidential election.

Education funding has collapsed

By some estimates, higher-education funding per student has fallen by twenty percent in just the past ten years. High school classrooms are frequently overcrowded and aging schools need billions of dollars in repairs.