French government faces high school unrest, record debt and internal majority divisions

High school blockades and street violence

A protest movement among French high school students, initially started to demand increased funding and classroom resources, expanded across the country over the course of a week. Demonstrators chanted slogans including "Macron is a killer", "we are right to rebel", and "the government is afraid of us". In several areas, student blockades escalated into violent riots and confrontations with police forces. School principals faced physical attacks, demonstrators launched mortar fireworks, and fires were set at multiple school facilities. On Friday, nearly 400 high schools remained closed, while Minister of National Education Édouard Geffray confirmed that 735 educational establishments suffered disruptions of varying severity.

Political mobilization and government response

The student demonstrations gained backing from a broad inter-union coalition of education workers and the left-wing party La France Insoumise. French executive officials condemned the political involvement, accusing the opposition of manipulating teenage grievances for political leverage. In a video shared on social media, Mathilde Panot, leader of the parliamentary group of La France Insoumise, spoke directly to high school students through a megaphone.

A mobilized youth is more dangerous than an atomic bomb. Do not give up!

President Emmanuel Macron addressed the domestic tensions during an official visit to Madrid, calling on the National Rally to clarify its stance following accusations of antisemitism against its president, Jordan Bardella. Macron simultaneously accused La France Insoumise of stoking societal fear. The remarks drew a sharp public rebuke from former prime minister Édouard Philippe, who has launched his own candidacy to succeed Macron in the 2027 presidential election.

When one represents France and is abroad, one does not comment on French political life.

The disagreement exposed growing divisions within the presidential camp, where rivalry between Édouard Philippe and former prime minister Gabriel Attal continues to shape the contest for leadership.

Economic strain and educational indicators

The unrest takes place as the French government prepares the 2027 draft budget amid severe financial constraints. French public debt has climbed beyond 120% of gross domestic product, marking the highest debt ratio recorded in the country since the 1950s. The fiscal situation has generated concern across European capitals, with German media questioning France's financial stability within the eurozone while officials in Berlin and Brussels monitor debt levels. Domestic economic activity remains subdued, with projected economic growth stagnating at approximately 0.5% for 2026.

The economic difficulties coincide with a decline in national educational outcomes measured by international PISA rankings. Recent assessments documented a collapse in mathematics proficiency and a downturn in literacy, with 27% of French students under the age of 15 failing to reach the minimum baseline in reading comprehension. The current climate contrasts with the start of Macron's decade in office, when his administration advanced supply-side economic reforms and pursued a points-based pension system while enjoying favor among younger demographics.