It’s the economy, stupid: Why France will keep burning

As of October 23, 2026, student-led protests in France have expanded into broader social unrest, with demonstrations spreading across Europe. Initially sparked by poor school conditions such as overcrowding and teacher shortages, these protests quickly grew to include concerns over high living costs, job insecurity, and climate change. Over 160,000 protesters took to the streets on October 17 in Paris alone, leading to clashes with police who used non-lethal weapons like tear gas and water cannons. By October 23, nearly 8,000 people had been arrested, mostly teenagers under 18 years old. President Emmanuel Macron has called for calm but faces criticism over his handling of the protests. Meanwhile, far-right groups and trade unions have capitalized on the unrest to criticize the government's response and policies.