French PM Gabriel Attal Announces Measures to Combat Teen Violence

The initiative comes as France faces increasing school violence and political pressure ahead of European elections.

Gabriel Attal, the French Prime Minister, has introduced a series of measures aimed at curbing teenage violence in schools, including extended compulsory school hours and stricter penalties for disruptive behavior.
The move follows recent violent incidents, including the stabbing of two young girls and the fatal beating of a 15-year-old boy, which have heightened security concerns around schools.
Critics argue that Attal's approach, which includes potentially treating some offenders under 18 as adults, could infringe on children's rights and fails to address the root causes of the violence.
The measures are seen as an attempt to regain control over security issues from the far-right National Rally, which is leading in the polls for the upcoming June elections.
Experts and some public figures have expressed concerns that the policies may not only be punitive but could also exacerbate social inequalities among youth.