Macron promises measures on student demands and warns of further unrest

Speaking in Marseille on Monday, Emmanuel Macron said the French government would announce measures addressing students’ concerns over education and university admissions. He also warned about further demonstrations and defended restrictions intended to maintain public order.

• Macron said Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government would announce measures addressing student concerns following consultation with student representatives.· 1 source
• Students’ demands include additional teachers, school renovations, smaller classes and changes to teaching hours. Changes to the Parcoursup university admissions platform are expected, according to French media cited in the report.· 1 source
• Macron warned that demonstrations planned for Saturday could be risky and said protest routes would remain outside city centres to protect public order.· 1 source
• Macron acknowledged that authorities had underestimated the scale of earlier demonstrations. DW reported that authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and made 1,435 arrests during the October 24 protests.· 2 sources
• Macron accused social media networks of drawing people to locations where attacks and looting occurred. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez also described organised far-right groups targeting left-wing activists in cities including Nice and Montpellier.· 1 source