Macron meets students as France prepares for fresh protests

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 10:33 · Archive

French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting high school student representatives for the first time since month-long protests over education began.

President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with high school student representatives on Friday in his first talks with the groups that have been protesting since September. The meeting comes as France prepares for further demonstrations planned for Saturday, with police presence on streets to be increased by 20 per cent.

Students have been protesting against teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms sometimes with more than 40 students, and dilapidated school buildings. High school student Soumaya Sarre, a leading figure in the Federation of High School Students from Working-Class Neighbourhoods, said: 'For years, we've been given promises that were never kept. What we want is for promises to be backed by concrete results. We want to see real change in our high schools.'

Authorities are taking precautions after last weekend's largely peaceful demonstrations gave way to violent riots. A curfew will be imposed in Paris while protest bans are in place in Marseille and Lyon. France Unbowed, a far-left party, has criticised the government's response, describing measures such as bans on demonstrations and curfews as an 'authoritarian slide'. The party called for people to march 'peacefully', stating: 'Civil liberties cannot be a bargaining chip for an executive branch in disarray.'

How it is being reported

• Macron to meet student groups: Where are France’s protests heading?President to meet for first time with student representatives on Friday before further protests.Al Jazeera · 23 Oct, 09:50
• Live: Macron meets with student representatives and law enforcement ahead of new protestsFrench President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with high school student representatives Friday for the first time since the month-long student protests over teacher shortages and run-down schools began. The president is also holding a "defence council" to prepare for Saturday's planned demonstrations. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.France 24 · 23 Oct, 06:06

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · Jean-Luc Mélenchon · Soumaya Sarre · France Unbowed · Paris · Marseille · Lyon

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