Milan, Oct. 1 (LaPresse) – Student protests are continuing in French high schools, with numerous schools blocked across the country, while Bfmtv reports that the movement is also spreading to universities. Tensions have erupted in several cities, and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region reported that at Victor Hugo High School in Marseille “the principal, deputy principal, secretary general and head of maintenance were assaulted and doused with petrol.” According to information provided by the region, “this arson attempt occurred inside the school, causing chaos in front of the high school.” “All staff took refuge inside to protect themselves, while police and firefighters intervened at the scene. The school’s management will file a complaint,” the administration added, describing the incident as crossing an “unacceptable” line. Tensions were also reported in Nantes, where a fire broke out at a high school: the deputy principal described it as an “arson attack,” without specifying its origin, saying that it spread along the building’s facade before being extinguished. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that 625 people were detained on Wednesday during actions blocking high schools. In addition, 83 police officers and gendarmes were injured on Wednesday during the mobilization, which involved 356 schools. French high school students have been protesting for days, demanding more resources for education. The protests come as Lecornu seeks to gather enough public and political support to pass the 2027 state budget in a divided Parliament, where President Emmanuel Macron’s government is under pressure from the opposition, with many unwilling to accept the proposed spending cuts as soaring energy costs and other expenses put pressure on families.
France, more protests at schools: principal doused with petrol in Marseille
Milan, Oct. 1 (LaPresse) – Student protests are continuing in French high schools, with numerous schools blocked across the country, while Bfmtv reports that the movement is also spreading to universities. Tensions have erupted in several cities, and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region reported that at Victor Hugo High School in Marseille “the principal, deputy principal, secretary general and head of maintenance were assaulted and doused with petrol.” According to information provided by the region, “this arson attempt occurred inside the school, causing chaos in front of the high school.” “All staff took refuge inside to protect themselves, while police and firefighters intervened at the scene. The school’s management will file a complaint,” the administration added, describing the incident as crossing an “unacceptable” line. Tensions were also reported in Nantes, where a fire broke out at a high school: the deputy principal described it as an “arson attack,” without specifying its origin, saying that it spread along the building’s facade before being extinguished. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that 625 people were detained on Wednesday during actions blocking high schools. In addition, 83 police officers and gendarmes were injured on Wednesday during the mobilization, which involved 356 schools. French high school students have been protesting for days, demanding more resources for education. The protests come as Lecornu seeks to gather enough public and political support to pass the 2027 state budget in a divided Parliament, where President Emmanuel Macron’s government is under pressure from the opposition, with many unwilling to accept the proposed spending cuts as soaring energy costs and other expenses put pressure on families.