France's student protests and the upcoming presidential election
Lloyd Jenkins • Europe & World • 3 minute read
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The streets of France have, once again, erupted in protest. We often find ourselves commenting on the endless strikes or protests in France. In 2023, there were protests over the government’s proposals to reform pensions. And in 2024, French farmers took to the streets of Paris, opposing falling incomes and increasing regulations on their industry. This time around, in 2026, it is the youth who are out in fury, protesting the declining state of education. As the youth mobilise across the country, we are left pondering what implications the protests will have on the upcoming presidential election, which is just six months away.
Protests began at the end of September, with students in French lycées expressing their dissatisfaction with their education. They are specifically protesting the lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and crumbling buildings. On top of this, they are also raising grievances about the structure of the school day, which typically runs from 8am to 6pm. Not only is this viewed as too long, but they are critical of the hours-long gaps they have in their schedules, further dragging out the school day. Since October, the protests have only grown and have spread across the country. Originating in Paris, students are now protesting in major cities such as Nantes, Marseille, and Montpellier.
But what has emerged as a crucial talking point during the protests is their electoral ramifications. As France faces an increasingly tense political environment, the looming presidential election and financial concerns have exacerbated the worries of the French people. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently announced his 2027 budget, which proposed €54bn in cuts, under the title of “More cuts – and this time we’re serious!”. France’s current deficit stands at 5.4% of GDP, and Lecornu has described himself as “the weakest Prime Minister” in recent memory. So, as we head towards the election to replace President Macron, the choice is a dichotomy between the hard-right National Rally (RN) and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI). Both are lead by charismatic figures, who, unsurprisingly, had starkly differing opinions on the protests (and everything else, for that matter).
Image: The Left / Flickr
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the de facto leader of LFI, has come out in support of the protesters and the teachers’ unions, hailing the protesters as “incredible”. He has criticised the response of President Macron and his government and denounced the violence the police have shown. Another figure on the left, who has gained some prominence during the protests, is the left-wing mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko. He has faced criticism for saying that “violence can sometimes be justified“, with his, perhaps exuberant support for the protest having called into question how much the LFI are formally involved in them. Commentators are asking how the left are manipulating the student protests, and how far they are willing to go to support the students. On the other side of the spectrum, Marine Le Pen of the RN has condemned the violence from students, and called for parents to foot the bill. Both sides have criticised the government response, albeit for different reasons.
What the protests have shown us, then, is that France finds itself in a tense situation. With both political and financial instability clearly present, the protests have the potential to be highly influential, if not decisive, for the next Presidential election. The polls have Le Pen in the lead, but Mélenchon is not far behind. So far, his response to the protests has seemed to gain him popularity, especially with the French youth. What remains to be seen, however, is whether this will convert into votes. Le Pen, on the other hand, has been comparatively quiet about the protests and has done little more than simply denounce the actions of both the protesters and the government. What is clear is that the decision will be between two extremes on the political spectrum, and how the protests continue to unfold could be beneficial, especially to the left.
[The future of France] could very well hinge on the brave youth of France
Whilst Lecornu and his government attempt to appease the protesters, with the government announcing on Thursday night that an extra 3,000 teachers will be made available, it doesn’t seem to be enough. Throughout the 2020s, Macron has faced political instability: snap elections in 2024 provided no clear majority, and since then there has been a revolving door of prime ministers and constant budget struggles. Their handling of the issue will not help the prospects of a mainstream resurgence.
The French students have an important role to play in the next six months. If the protests continue, then they could potentially be beneficial for the left. But there needs to be a reduction in violence from the students. And, as the government continues to concede to the protesters’ aims, the far-right can exploit its weaknesses. As we roll into April and May, the race for who will be the next resident of the Élysée Palace is one that could very well hinge on the brave youth of France.
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•Published: 21/10/26
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