Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
French student leaders on Monday vowed to continue demonstrations despite the government offering a package of education proposals in response to weeks of protests. The students said the measures fell short of their demands, which include reforms to the education system and improvements to school infrastructure.
Emerging from a meeting with government officials, student representatives said the proposals included capping class sizes in some schools, providing loans to renovate school buildings and replacing a university admissions system they consider unfair.
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“Not all our demands were met. We’ll go on for as long as it takes,” Louis Letoublon, one of the high school student representatives, told Reuters.
The government did not immediately confirm the proposals, while a press conference to announce the details was delayed. The funding required for the package also remained unclear, with President Emmanuel Macron’s minority government facing mounting fiscal pressure as France’s national debt approaches 120% of gross domestic product (GDP).
The protests, initially driven by student discontent, have expanded to include trade unions and “yellow vest” activists, known for their demonstrations against economic pressures, including high fuel costs. The unrest intensified after violence swept through dozens of cities nine days ago, raising concerns over the government’s ability to maintain public order.
Macron acknowledged earlier that further unrest was likely over the weekend, ahead of a larger nationwide protest planned for November 5. During a visit to Marseille to assess damage and thank emergency services following Saturday’s demonstrations, he said security measures would remain in place and that authorities would work to move protests away from city centres.
The unrest has also boosted the poll ratings of far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, who is already leading the race ahead of next year’s presidential election. An opinion poll published on Sunday put her support at 32% to 33.5%, well ahead of her nearest rival, hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, at 17%. Surveys suggest Le Pen would comfortably defeat Melenchon in a potential run-off expected in early May.
FAR-RIGHT GROUPS CLASH WITH FAR-LEFT ACTIVISTS
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 1,435 people were arrested nationwide during Saturday’s demonstrations. He also reported a new development, with organised far-right groups confronting far-left activists in several cities.
Nunez said nationalist and identity-based movements had called on supporters to come out to defend businesses. In cities including Nice and Montpellier, organised groups had gathered primarily to target far-left activists, he added.
Meanwhile, France’s economic outlook remained under pressure as businesses reported significant losses from the unrest. A sell-off in French government bonds paused on Monday after ratings agency Moody’s decided against downgrading the country’s sovereign debt on Friday.
Alain Di Crescenzo, head of the CCI France network of chambers of commerce and industry, said many retailers had remained closed as a precaution following the violence on October 17. He estimated that sales had fallen by around 80%.
“We have shopkeepers who are tired and demoralised, and we are killing local commerce,” he told Radio Classique.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
