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7h ago

French Students Stage Nationwide Act V Protests on October 13

Disputed turnout alongside limited government concessions leaves the movement's near-term trajectory uncertain.

La militante suédoise Greta Thunberg s'entretient avec des élèves devant le lycée Paul-Éluard de Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), le 13 octobre 2026.
Des policiers devant le collège Joseph-Lakanal après une fusillade dans l’établissement, à Aubagne, le 12 octobre 2026.
Carole Zerbib, proviseure du lycée Vauquelin (Paris) devant son établissement, le 5 octobre 2026.
[Miguel MEDINA / AFP]

Overview

  • Organizers and unions said about 480,000 people demonstrated on Tuesday while the interior ministry put the figure at 161,500, and the education minister reported roughly 200 lycées closed that day.
  • Protesters are demanding the abolition of Parcoursup, a €10 billion emergency investment plan for lycées, more teacher replacements and fixes to decaying school buildings.
  • The government has deployed 3,000 substitute teachers, reported tens of thousands of contributions to a consultation platform and signalled possible 2027 budget amendments but student leaders say those measures do not meet their core demands.
  • Several cities saw clashes, property damage and arrests during Acte V, authorities reported numerous detentions since mid‑September and the IGPN has opened multiple inquiries into policing; Greta Thunberg and some local officials publicly showed support for the movement.
  • Organizers aim to link the student protests with a wider 'cost of living' mobilization on October 17 while schools head into Toussaint holidays, creating uncertainty over whether the pause will defuse or broaden the unrest.