Macron claims student protests exploited by political forces

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 00:57 · Archive

French student protesters are being 'exploited' by political forces ahead of April 2027 presidential elections, President Macron says.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that student protesters are being 'exploited' by political forces, with the presidential election scheduled for April and May 2027. His government spokeswoman, Maud Bregeon, said Macron acknowledged that young people have 'legitimate concerns' but stressed these grievances are 'being exploited for political purposes and turned into urban violence'. The government has asked for 'concrete responses' to the unrest within weeks.

Three weeks of high school protests have closed many schools. Nationwide solidarity demonstrations on Tuesday drew significant support, with the interior ministry reporting 161,500 people in Paris and other cities, though unions put the figure at 480,000. Some violent scenes occurred on the sidelines of marches in Paris and Lyon, with police firing tear gas in response. Hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon participated in a Paris demonstration, while hard-right frontrunner Marine Le Pen voiced support for the police deployed to protests.

The BBC reports that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has suggested that student anger is being 'weaponised'. Hundreds of new demonstrations are planned for Saturday, with students expected to be joined by workers' unions and figures from the yellow vest movement.

How it is being reported

• Are student protests being manipulated ahead of France's presidential election?France's prime minister has suggested that student anger is being weaponised, as the unions and other protesters prepare to take to the streets too.BBC World · 16 Oct, 00:25
• Macron says French student protesters 'exploited' by political forcesFrench President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that France's student protesters are being "exploited" by political forces months ahead of the country's presidential elections. Hard left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon participated in a Paris demonstration while hard right frontrunner Marine Le Pen has voiced support for police deployed to protests.France 24 · 14 Oct, 12:33

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · Jean-Luc Melenchon · Marine Le Pen · Sébastien Lecornu · France · Paris

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem