Thousands of young protesters have taken to the streets across France for a third weekend. The French government estimated that 320,000 people turned out for the demonstrations on Saturday. They were protesting over living costs and education. Around 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide with Paris marches rerouted to the city’s outskirts. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a high risk of disorder especially after dark on Halloween. The protests began last month with high school students and have since grown to include labor unions and others. Similar youth-led protests have been reported in Germany and Italy with calls for action on education, health, climate protection and affordable living.
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France’s government has pledged to replace its national online university admissions platform in 2028. The move announced on Monday seeks to quell student anger after weeks of mass protests over education and living costs. Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste announced during a news conference “substantial change” for 2027 before the platform’s replacement in 2028. The system is called Parcoursup and handles applications to universities and other higher education courses. Students have criticized unclear selection criteria and unequal access to their preferred courses. The announcements followed France’s worst unrest in years on Oct. 17. Demonstrations over school funding and rising living costs descended into rioting and looting across the country.
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Emmanuel Macron, a centrist, is in the final stretch of his presidency as France faces intense protests. Macron has acknowledged failures in planning and intelligence. Constitutionally barred from a third term, his popularity is at its lowest since taking office in 2017. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is seen as the favorite in next year's election, capitalizing on the unrest. Far-left contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon backs the protest movement while condemning looting. Polls show Le Pen as the front-runner, with Mélenchon in second.
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that foreign leaders — including those “on the other side of the Atlantic” — were…
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A woman walks past a building with graffiti that reads "The ultra-rich against everyone" and "No justice, no peace. RIP El Hacen" after the weekend protests over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting across France, in Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
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People watch and take photos of cleanup efforts after weekend protests over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting across France, in Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
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View of charred objects from a newsstand after the weekend protests over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting across France, in Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
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People walk past La Barrique bistrot damaged after the weekend protests over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting across France, in Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
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A man walks past a burned-out structure next to the inscription in a wall ¨Power = Pedophilia¨ after the weekend protests over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting across France, in Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
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Burned electric bicycles lie on the road near a bakery after weekend protests over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting across France, in Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)