Macron Plans Talks With French Students Amid Protests
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to meet representatives of high school student groups at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, according to Al Jazeera. It would be his first talks with the groups, which have been calling for an overhaul of the education system since September.
The students' grievances are concrete. Since mid-September, they have protested against teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms of sometimes more than 40 pupils, and dilapidated school buildings. Students took to the streets of Paris on Thursday, October 22, and further protests are expected on Saturday, October 24.
The protests have overlapped with a wider wave of anger. On October 17, various unions called nationwide demonstrations across France over the cost of living, after weeks of student protests. Ahead of that day, Macron called for "calm and respect" during the demonstrations, according to Le Monde.
The government has responded with a set of measures. It has announced 3,000 additional substitute teachers, who cover when regular teachers are absent, and an online consultation. France's 2027 budget also allocates an extra 1.1 billion euros to national education. The government has set a meeting with student organisations for Monday, October 26, 2026, to present decisions on staffing, teacher replacements and Parcoursup, the national online platform through which students apply to higher education.
On Parcoursup, Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said he is not considering abolishing the system, but is ready for profound changes to it.
Security arrangements are also being tightened. Jean-Didier Berger, minister delegate to the interior minister, said police presence on the streets would be increased by 20 percent ahead of the further protests. A curfew in Paris will limit movement, while protest bans are in place in Marseille and Lyon.
Ahead of the expected weekend protests, French businesses and events were set to close, according to Reuters. Macron was also expected to hold a defence and security meeting on Friday, in addition to meeting the student groups.
