# Mélenchon Cheers Gen Z Protests

> French far-left candidate supports student protests and calls for voting age drop to 16.
- Title: Mélenchon Cheers Gen Z Protests · Seattletimes | Shortify
- Summary: French far-left candidate supports student protests and calls for voting age drop to 16. Jean-Luc Mélenchon praised Gen Z school protests and proposed…
- Keywords: jean-luc melenchon, gen z, school protests, voting age, university admissions, france, presidential election, european parliament, nato, trump, news, local
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/frances-far-left-presidential-candidate-cheers-gen-z-school-protests
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jean-luc melenchon, gen z, school protests, voting age, university admissions, france, presidential election, european parliament, nato, trump, news, local
## Mélenchon Celebrates Student Protests
French far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon celebrated high school students protesting deteriorating school buildings and teacher shortages.

> a high level of political and union maturity
## Proposes Voting Age Drop to 16
Mélenchon called for lowering the voting age to 16 and ending selective university admissions to address student grievances.

> knowledge shouldn’t be turned into merchandise
## Critics Say He Fuels Protests
Mélenchon’s critics claim his France Unbowed party is fueling the protests for electoral gain, but he insists it is not organizing them.
## Over 6,600 Arrests in Protests
Police have made more than 6,600 arrests during the nationwide high school protest movement, with hundreds injured.
## Mélenchon Targets Trump and NATO
Mélenchon denounced U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO, calling for France to lead an independent foreign policy.

> We’re not preparing our children and grandchildren to die for some hazardous operation concocted by NATO
## Protests Push Government Action
The government ordered urgent teacher hires and schedule changes to address student grievances, but protesters say it is insufficient.
## Key takeaway

Jean-Luc Mélenchon praised Gen Z school protests and proposed lowering voting age to 16 in France.