Symbolic imageMacron offers education concessions as student leaders hold out
The French government offered smaller classes, more university places and a new admissions system on Monday. Student leaders rejected the package and plan more protests from 31 October.
In Marseille on Monday, 26 October, President Emmanuel Macron said he had asked the government to answer the "legitimate demands" behind weeks of school protests. Ministers then announced classes of at most 28 pupils and 15,000 more university places from next year, and Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said the Parcoursup admissions platform will be replaced in autumn 2028. The Jerusalem Post adds €1 billion for campuses and €4 billion in loans for school renovation.
Students hold out
Student representative Louis Letoublon said not all demands were met and the movement would go on as long as it takes. According to Telesur, representatives called the package "crumbs", want €10 billion, and plan protests on 31 October, blockades from 2 November and participation in the 5 November general strike.
Le Pen opens campaign
Marine Le Pen opened her presidential bid on Sunday at a National Rally conference in Orléans; Handelsblatt reports she promises a hard line on protesters. A poll put her at 32 to 33.5%, ahead of Jean-Luc Mélenchon on 17%.
Other opinions
Breitbart calls the unrest "Islamo-leftist riots", while Telesur frames the talks as a political setback for Macron's government.