The nationwide unrest in France shows no sign of abating. On Thursday evening, the protesters vowed that they are only in the early stages and plan to continue their blockades, demonstrations and strikes in the weeks and months to come.
The massive mobilisation of students has pushed street violence to record levels across France over the past three weeks. It began as a protest against problems in the education sector, but, in collaboration with the far left and the pro-Palestine left, developed into riots, vandalism and violent clashes with the police.
The far left, the pro-Palestine left, the violent left, Antifa
The French government, too, points the finger at radical left-wing groups. According to the authorities, supporters of La France insoumise and other far-left organisations are playing a role in the mobilisation.
The violent protests have now also reached Belgium. Bernard Quintin, Belgium’s Minister of the Interior, accuses Antifa-like groups of using minors and children in violent political actions. According to him, adult rioters have joined the movement, and the original demands relating to education are increasingly taking a back seat:
– We know there is an active Antifa movement in Liège. It is completely unacceptable for adults to manipulate children into conveying violent political messages.
French police have made nearly 7,000 arrests since the end of September. A 15-year-old girl is to appear in court, suspected of firing powerful fireworks at a ten-month-old baby in a pram. According to the authorities, 375 schools were fully or partially closed on Thursday.
Not a single French flag at the mass ‘student’ protests in France.
What do Palestinian, Syrian, or Algerian flags have to do with calls for a ‘better education system’?
What is happening in France has nothing to do with that. It’s a demonstration of the power Islam has gained…
— Dr Maalouf (@realMaalouf) 10 October 2026
In a televised address quoted by France24, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the violence:
– That pupils and staff are being attacked, that police officers and gendarmes are being injured, that schools are being set on fire or vandalised, that thousands of teaching hours are being lost – not to mention threats and insults.
France will go to the polls in April to elect a successor to outgoing President Emmanuel Macron. Lecornu took aim at ‘political leaders who are exploiting this anger in the election campaign’:
– We cannot play with the safety of French young people.
But the violent left will carry on:
– We are here, we are demonstrating, and we will not give up. Until October, November, December if necessary. Nothing will stop us, said an 18-year-old student from Paris.
