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Macron says French student protesters 'exploited' by political forces: spokeswoman
Yahoo • • world
Key Points:
- French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledges the students' protests as having "legitimate" grievances but believes they are being exploited by political forces, urging the government to provide concrete responses soon.
- Nationwide demonstrations showed significant support for the students, with turnout estimates ranging from 161,500 (official) to 480,000 (unions), though some protests saw violent clashes and police use of tear gas.
- Allegations of police brutality have emerged, including a case where a 15-year-old student lost his hand due to a police stun grenade, prompting legal action and internal investigations into police conduct.
- Nearly 8,000 people, mostly minors, have been arrested since the protests began, with hundreds of injuries reported among students, police officers, and teaching staff.
- Political tensions rise as opposition parties, including far-left and far-right groups, react to the protests, while police unions criticize government handling and unclear directives during the unrest.
