On Friday, hundreds of schools across France were closed due to escalating student protests that began in Paris and spread nationwide. Students expressed dissatisfaction with deteriorating school facilities, long hours, and teacher shortages, with high school days extending from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The protests turned violent, resulting in clashes with police and injuries to dozens of educational staff, hundreds of police officers, and over 100 students.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray acknowledged the initial legitimacy of the protests but noted that the situation had devolved into what the Interior Ministry described as 'urban violence.' This unrest complicates the government's budget negotiations, as it seeks to implement a draft budget that includes a fiscal adjustment of 54 billion euros ($60.8 billion), partly through freezing public sector wages.
France's economic challenges are exacerbated by its high debt and deficit levels, with the government facing increasing borrowing costs and investor skepticism. The yield on France's benchmark 10-year OAT has reached 4.914%, marking a significant rise from the previous year and reflecting investor concerns over the country's fiscal health