Geffray Offers €4bn School Loan

Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced a €4 billion government loan for regional authorities on Monday to repair high school buildings. The move comes as the student union Les Lycéens instructed members to keep barricading schools and joining street protests. Union leader Pierre Sourzat called the government's offer insufficient, stating that the group was in a power struggle and needed to maintain pressure to meet its maximum demands.

The government proposes to cap class sizes for 15-year-olds at 28 students in the 50% of schools located in the lowest-income areas. This cap will extend to all high schools next year. Geffray also confirmed that additional teaching posts will be created and that a review of the baccalaureate system is underway. These measures aim to address complaints about overcrowding and staffing shortages that fueled the initial protests.

Changes to the university application process are scheduled for implementation over the next two years. The current platform, Parcoursup, will be modified in 2027 and replaced by a new system in 2028. Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste stated that 15,000 extra student places will be added, with a focus on vocational courses. Parliament is set to debate the application reform on Wednesday.

The protests began over five weeks ago, initially focusing on decrepit school infrastructure including collapsing ceilings, mold, and broken toilets. The movement has expanded to include trade unions and cost-of-living protesters, holding mass demonstrations every Saturday. Louis Letoublon, who met with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, acknowledged that the government was responding to student pressure but insisted that not all demands were met. He vowed the movement would continue until its goals were achieved.

Security concerns have intensified following a violent day on October 17, which featured looting and fires. Authorities have admitted to intelligence failures that allowed the clashes to occur. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that ultra-right groups arrived in organized formations in cities like Nice and Montpellier over the weekend, targeting protesters. Eleven suspects are facing charges for their actions. Curfews and protest route changes have been implemented in several cities to manage the unrest.

President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday to speak with police. He described the current state of turmoil as abnormal for a country six months before a presidential election. Macron acknowledged that street protests are likely to continue, labeling the upcoming demonstration on October 31 as a day of risk. He stated that the government would hold the line to address legitimate expectations while maintaining order, noting that nothing is a foregone conclusion as he steps down next spring.