France’s prime minister called an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday and ordered ministers to cancel upcoming trips so that officials and police can concentrate on a wave of student protests that have moved beyond the Paris region. The demonstrations, sparked by complaints over under‑resourced schools and long school days, have turned violent in several locations, leading to hundreds of arrests and dozens of injuries.

Students voice grievances over school workload

At a Paris high school where students erected barricades, 18‑year‑old Salama Gargouri said the protests target “overloaded schedules, the system, the teachers, people who don’t listen to us, the university application process.” Another student, Janna Tahari, warned that “kids, go to school from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day” takes a mental toll.

Authorities respond with stricter enforcement

The interior minister issued orders for police to dismantle blockades that prevent pupils from attending classes and to halt vandalism. Education Minister Édouard Geffray reported that a school was set on fire and staff were doused with gasoline, prompting him to direct that classes be moved online when blockades or damage threaten student safety. “Violence will not deprive our students of their fundamental right to education,” Geffray posted on X.

Political backdrop

The unrest is unfolding as France heads toward a presidential election in May, where incumbent President Emmanuel Macron is barred from seeking a third term. Far‑left presidential hopeful Jean‑Luc Mélenchon condemned the government’s response as repressive, while critics of Mélenchon accuse his party of stoking the unrest to gain electoral advantage.

Impact on government agenda

The protests add pressure to a government already grappling with growing fiscal challenges and a forthcoming 2027 budget that aims to cut spending. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s decision to focus ministerial attention on the crisis underscores the seriousness with which the administration views the situation.

Police continue to make arrests and treat injuries from both protester‑thrown objects and riot‑control projectiles. The government says it will maintain a firm stance to ensure schools can operate safely while seeking dialogue with student leaders.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.