Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned that any escalation of the wave of student protests would be “irresponsible”, following the arrests of 164 people on Monday.
The demonstrations began in Paris, where teenagers have been blockading their schools for days over overcrowded classes, teacher shortages and dilapidated facilities.
Lecornu cited incidents of fireworks, fires and violence near high schools, stating, “nothing justifies endangering students, staff or police officers.”
A French union representing high‑school students described the protests as a legitimate response to conditions left by a decade of austerity, calling on students to continue blockades in defence of their rights.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 12 security‑force members, 12 students and three school staff were injured on Monday, while 180 schools were affected, but did not disclose total arrests.
The movement, which began in the Île‑de‑France region, now extends to Alpes‑Maritimes, Var, Marseille, Lille and Sedan, with reports of vandalism and fires at police.
Nuñez described the demonstrations as “urban violence” featuring masked individuals armed with fireworks and projectiles, noting that the youths were “not making demands – it was pure violence.”
Investigations are underway into incidents where police allegedly used a grenade launcher, reportedly injuring a student, as reported by BFMTV.
