French Student Protests Escalate

A nationwide student protest movement spread to hundreds of French high schools, closing more than 400 and disrupting more than 560. The protests target underfunded schools, with students citing crowded classes, poor buildings, missing teachers, long days and unequal treatment of poorer suburbs. The unrest has become a political problem for President Emmanuel Macron before budget fights and the 2027 election. Government allies and French intelligence have accused France Unbowed and ultra-left proxies of fueling the unrest, while the party says it supported protesters but did not orchestrate it. Ministers called the grievances legitimate but warned of urban violence. Authorities face more closure and policing decisions next.