Hundreds of Thousands Protest Again in France, Demanding Macron's Resignation

International Desk | PNN

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across France to protest deteriorating educational conditions, the rising cost of living, and social inequality. On Saturday, October 24, students, teachers, nurses, environmental activists, and members of various trade unions participated in the second major round of nationwide demonstrations. Tensions spread across Paris and several other cities, with clashes between police and protesters breaking out at one point.

According to figures from France's Interior Ministry, approximately 410,000 people took part in Saturday's demonstrations nationwide. Around 110,000 of them were in Paris alone. However, the country's major trade union, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), claimed that the actual number of protesters was nearly twice the official estimate.

In Paris, the march began near Porte d'Italie, on the southeastern edge of the city, and reached the Porte de Vincennes area at around 5 p.m. The atmosphere was initially peaceful and festive, but the situation changed in the evening. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Several people dressed in black were seen throwing objects found on the streets at police officers.

According to the authorities, approximately 500 protesters became involved in clashes with police. However, officials said the violence was less severe than during the previous week's demonstrations. France's Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, said approximately 1,000 people had been arrested nationwide on Saturday.

More than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across the country to strengthen security during the protests. Additional measures were introduced to prevent a repeat of the violence and vandalism witnessed the previous week. In Paris, police said they had searched more than 3,000 people. A total of 65 people were arrested in the capital.

The decision to change the designated protest route in Paris and ban several demonstrations in the city centre further angered the protesters. An earlier agreement to allow a march from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation was cancelled, and permission was instead granted for a demonstration in an outlying area of the city. Events organized by several groups outside the trade unions were also prohibited.

Emma, a protester participating in the demonstration, criticized the decision, saying she believed the government had adopted such tactics to slow the movement and discourage participation.

Monica, a retired employee of the public education system, said the last-minute change to the protest route gave the impression that the government wanted to keep the movement out of public view.

Protesters also called for French President Emmanuel Macron to resign. Their slogans addressed the gap between rich and poor, opposition to fascism, and demands for reforms in the education sector.

For security reasons, various businesses in central Paris remained closed. Many shops installed protective barriers over their windows, while some businesses hired private security personnel. At least 24 metro stations were closed at the request of police. Several major cultural institutions, including the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, also remained closed that day. Art Basel Paris cancelled its weekend programme.

The current movement began in mid-September. At the time, students at several upper-secondary schools began protesting against deteriorating school buildings, shortages of teachers, and the existing system for admission to higher education.

Gradually, the movement expanded beyond the education sector and became a broader expression of public dissatisfaction with the rising cost of living, economic inequality, and the policies of Macron's government.

The demonstrations on October 17 also attracted large crowds. However, some of the protests that day were accompanied by looting, vandalism, and clashes with police. According to official figures, more than 2,000 people were taken into police custody following those incidents. Numerous businesses were damaged.

In an effort to ease the tensions, President Macron met representatives of the student movement for the first time on Friday. He promised to recruit more teachers and undertake major reforms of Parcoursup, the system used to manage applications and selection for university admissions.

However, student representatives said they supported continuing the movement until concrete measures were implemented.

The protesters have announced plans to hold another demonstration next Saturday.

The continuing protests are intensifying at a time when France is moving toward an important presidential election scheduled in approximately six months. Constitutional restrictions prevent Macron from running for a third consecutive term as president. His current term is due to end in 2027.

In this situation, the country's right-wing political movement has also returned to the centre of attention. Right-wing leader Marine Le Pen has long promised to restore law and order. Recent opinion polls have shown her leading the race to become the country's next president.

On Saturday, several thousand people gathered in the city of Orléans, chanting anti-fascist slogans against the right-wing National Rally party. At the same time, Jordan Bardella was re-elected as the party's president with approximately 99 percent of the vote at its conference.

Le Pen and Bardella were scheduled to address around 10,000 supporters on Sunday. The event was expected to mark the party's preparations for the formal launch of its presidential election campaign.

What began as a movement over the crisis in the education system has now developed into a broader debate about France's economy, social justice, and political leadership. The direction of the coming days will depend largely on how far the government's promised reforms are implemented and what concrete steps are taken to address the protesters' demands.