4 billion euro loan faces student rejection

The French government has allocated a 4 billion euro loan to regional authorities to repair school buildings, but student leaders have rejected the offer as insufficient and ordered continued blockades. The announcement came on Monday, marking more than five weeks of unrest that began in September.

Édouard Geffray, the education minister, described some institutions as unfit for teaching due to collapsing ceilings, mold, and broken toilets. He stated that the loan will begin addressing these structural defects. The government also announced that class sizes for 15-year-olds in the first year of high school will be capped at 28 students. This limit will apply to the 50% of schools in the lowest-income areas immediately and extend to all high schools next year.

Pierre Sourzat of the student group Les Lycéens argued that the concessions were half measures. He told France Info television that the students remain in a power struggle and need to maintain mobilization to meet their maximum demands. Sourzat emphasized that the union wanted concrete measures rather than partial adjustments.

The government also committed to creating more teaching posts and reviewing the baccalaureate system. The university application platform, Parcoursup, will be modified in 2027 and replaced by a new system in 2028. Philippe Baptiste, the higher education minister, said 15,000 extra student places would be created in higher education, with a focus on vocational courses. Parliament is scheduled to debate the university application issue on Wednesday.

Louis Letoublon, who met with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on behalf of Les Lycéens, stated that the government is afraid and knows it must listen. He noted that not all demands were met and that the students would continue for as long as it takes. Baptiste said the government's door was open for further discussions.

The unrest has been marked by physical confrontations. Several children have been maimed or seriously injured by police explosive weapons, while hundreds have been arrested and held in custody. The authorities increased security measures and restricted demonstrations after October 17, which saw looting, fires, and vandalism of state buildings. Curfews were implemented in certain cities, and protest routes were moved to the outskirts on Saturday.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that ultra-right groups arrived in organized formations in cities like Nice and Montpellier over the weekend, targeting protesters. Eleven suspects are to face charges. President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday and called the next demonstration on October 31 a day of risk. He acknowledged security failures that led to the clashes and noted the country is six months from a presidential election.