PARIS—French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned Monday that any escalation in the nation's ongoing student protests would be irresponsible. The warning followed the arrest of 164 individuals as demonstrations, initially concentrated in Paris, spread to other regions.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that 12 members of the security forces, 12 students and three school staff members sustained injuries during Monday's events. He said 180 schools were affected by the protests.
The demonstrations, which began last week in the Île-de-France region around Paris, stem from student grievances over educational conditions. The Union Syndicale Lycéenne, a French union representing high school students, defended the protests as a response to overcrowded classes, teacher shortages and dilapidated school facilities.
Lecornu acknowledged that "the difficulties of high schools must be heard and addressed." However, he condemned the violence associated with the protests, stating that "violence must be condemned unequivocally, and its perpetrators must answer for their actions." He cited "fireworks, fires, violence near high schools" as examples that "nothing justifies endangering students, staff or police officers."
Minister Nuñez described the demonstrations and blockades as involving masked individuals equipped with fireworks and projectiles who were attempting to disrupt schools and public order.
Lecornu accused the far-left France Unbowed party of actively encouraging students to expand the movement. The party's leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, responded by blaming the Lecornu government for ordering a crackdown on the protests, describing the participating high school students as harmless.
Incidents of vandalism and fireworks aimed at police were reported during the protests. The movement has extended beyond Paris to the Alpes-Maritimes and Var regions, where four high schools were blockaded. Protests also occurred in Marseille, Lille and Sedan.
In solidarity with the student movement, unions representing teachers, hospital staff and civil servants called for a day of walkouts on Tuesday to protest low wages and working conditions across public sectors.
