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French PM Lecornu warns against escalation of school protests
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- France's Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned any escalation of student protests, calling it "irresponsible" after 164 arrests during demonstrations over overcrowded classes and teacher shortages.
- The protests, which began in Paris and have spread to other regions, involved blockades of high schools, incidents of vandalism, and clashes with police, resulting in injuries to 12 security personnel, 12 students, and three school staff.
- A French student union described the protests as a legitimate response to deteriorating school conditions attributed to a decade of government policies and budget cuts under President Macron.
- Unions representing teachers, hospital staff, and civil servants also planned walkouts to protest low wages and poor working conditions, coinciding with the student actions.
- Political figures are divided, with Lecornu condemning violence and calling for accountability, while opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized the government's crackdown and described the students as harmless.
