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French Students Protest, Workers Strike Over Budget Cuts
Confirmed
In Short: French high school students and public sector workers have staged protests and strikes over planned budget cuts.
French high school students and public sector workers have staged protests and strikes over planned budget cuts, with about 11 percent of teachers and school staff joining the strike, according to the Education Ministry.
About 40 people have been arrested and 10 injured as protesting students clashed with police. The protests come amid growing dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron and his center-right government, as opinion polls consistently reflect deep dissatisfaction.
Student protests have gathered pace in recent days over overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages. In one instance, teachers formed a line around protesting students in a bid to protect them from the police.
In the western city of Nantes, teens piled up dozens of bins to prevent entrance to the Lycee Gabriel Guist'hau, while in Paris, there was an uneasy standoff between 30 students and a contingent of police at the Arago school.
Tuesday’s action comes seven months before the vote and just two days before the government is due to unveil its draft 2027 budget.
French teachers are paid less on average than many European peers, adding to the dissatisfaction.
The protests highlight the growing frustration among students and workers over the planned budget cuts and the government's handling of education and public sector issues.
French teachers and school staff are protesting against the planned budget cuts, which they believe will exacerbate existing issues such as overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages.
The protests also reflect broader concerns about the government's policies and the upcoming presidential election.
The government is expected to unveil its draft 2027 budget in the coming days, which could further fuel the ongoing protests.
What this adds
The protests are part of a larger trend of dissatisfaction with the government's policies and the upcoming presidential election.
The planned budget cuts have sparked widespread concern among students and workers, leading to increased protests and strikes.
The protests highlight the ongoing issues in the French education system, including overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages.
What's confirmed
- French high school students and public sector workers have staged protests and strikes over planned budget cuts, with about 11 percent of teachers and school staff joining the strike, according to the Education Ministry.
- About 40 people have been arrested and 10 injured as protesting students clashed with police. The protests come amid growing dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron and his center-right government, as opinion polls consistently reflect deep dissatisfaction.
- Student protests have gathered pace in recent days over overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages. In one instance, teachers formed a line around protesting students in a bid to protect them from the police.
- In the western city of Nantes, teens piled up dozens of bins to prevent entrance to the Lycee Gabriel Guist'hau, while in Paris, there was an uneasy standoff between 30 students and a contingent of police at the Arago school.
- Tuesday’s action comes seven months before the vote and just two days before the government is due to unveil its draft 2027 budget.
- French teachers are paid less on average than many European peers, adding to the dissatisfaction.
- The protests highlight the growing frustration among students and workers over the planned budget cuts and the government's handling of education and public sector issues.
- French teachers and school staff are protesting against the planned budget cuts, which they believe will exacerbate existing issues such as overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages.
- The protests also reflect broader concerns about the government's policies and the upcoming presidential election.
- The government is expected to unveil its draft 2027 budget in the coming days, which could further fuel the ongoing protests.
What's still developing
- French was quickly met with backlash from his own party, as Sen. John Cornyn, who is leaving Congress after he lost in a primary to Trump-backed state Attorney General Ken Paxton, condemned the post and urged fellow Republicans to do the same.
- “He and the other America Last losers are mad that Texas Republicans are starting to put America First,” French wrote.
- Several prominent Texas Republicans on Sunday condemned a racist post by Bo French, a GOP candidate for statewide office to regulate Texas’ oil and gas industry.
- “That doesn’t mean that Texas cannot also lead in having the toughest immigration laws of any state in America and freezing H-1B visas at our universities.” French in May defeated the Abbott-endorsed incumbent, Jim Wright, for the GOP nomination for railroad commissioner.
- Paxton responded to Talarico’s post by saying he condemned “racism in all its forms” — without making mention of French or French’s post and while attacking Talarico.
- French did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- Asked by WFAA-TV of Dallas in July whether he regretted those comments, French said he did not, adding, “Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth.” The Texas Railroad Commission is a powerful three-member panel that regulates oil and gas production, pipelines and natural gas utilities in the state.
- Bo French is challenging the incumbent for a spot on the Railroad Commission of Texas. | Courtesy of the Bo French campaign Bo French, the GOP nominee for a spot on the Texas Railroad Commission, doubled down on Monday on a xenophobic post that disparaged Asian American students at the University of Texas after receiving blowback from fellow Republicans over the weekend.
- During his radio appearance, French said his social media post is a criticism of admissions and hiring policies at UT, the state’s public flagship, that he said discriminated against Texas residents.
- “It’s not racist to point out that we should be favoring Texans over foreigners,” French said.
- French, who is running for a seat on the influential statewide body that regulates its oil and gas industry, has a history of making controversial statements.
- Bo French, a Texas Republican running for the state’s railroad commission, reemphasized his viral social media post about Asian American students at the University of Texas.