French PM vows to overhaul education budget over protests

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the authorities are ready to reconsider the approach to financing the education sector. As follows from the address of the head of government, broadcast in the social network X, the parliament will consider a new draft budget on November 12.

Lecornu stressed that “the anger of young people does not come out of nowhere.” According to him, the Cabinet of Ministers will have to restore the trust of the younger generation and fulfill previously given, but unrealized promises.

“We have a month to convert the proposals of high school students into amendments on which MPs and senators will have to agree,” he said.

Mass discontent began in mid-September with a strike of teachers and pupils of the lyceum Antoine de Saint-Exupery in the Paris suburb of Creteux. Teachers complained about the lack of staff and resources. The protest movement soon spread to other parts of the country. Participants in the actions demand an increase in spending on education and improvement of training conditions.

The actions were accompanied by clashes. According to the French Interior Ministry, 761 police officers, 215 students and 89 teachers have been injured since the protests began. Law enforcement authorities detained more than 6.6 thousand people. The total number of protesters was estimated at 266,000.