Les livres ou les bombes: la révolte étudiante en France contre la pression des dépenses de l'OTAN

Greta Thunberg joined French student protesters in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on Tuesday amid ongoing nationwide demonstrations over education reforms. The protests, which have led to violent clashes with police, school closures, and thousands of arrests, saw Thunberg speak with students demanding better facilities, more teachers, and shorter school days. According to French authorities, over 6,800 people have been detained since the protests began in September. Demonstrators have set fires, built barricades, and faced off with riot police in multiple cities, though many protests have remained peaceful. The protests entered their fourth week on Tuesday, with 161,500 people marching across France, including 41,500 in Paris. The Education Ministry confirmed that 214 schools had been closed due to the unrest. Thunberg criticized the French government's handling of the demonstrations, calling the police response "extremely violent." She expressed solidarity with the students, stating she was inspired by their fight for basic rights. French President Emmanuel Macron urged restraint and dialogue as the situation continues to unfold. Meanwhile, far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon participated in the protests in Paris, accusing the government of using excessive force against young demonstrators. Right-wing National Rally leader Marine Le Pen condemned the violence and called for those responsible for damaging schools to reimburse the costs. An incident last week involving a 15-year-old boy who lost his hand and part of his lower arm after a police dispersal grenade detonated during a protest in Lens prompted authorities to suspend the use of that particular type of grenade. The incident drew international attention and further fueled criticism of the police tactics used against protesters. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has requested that ministers consider the students' demands, which include improved school infrastructure, reduced class sizes, and better working conditions for educators. Students have cited deteriorating school buildings, teacher shortages, and long school days stretching from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. as key concerns. The protests have become a major political issue ahead of France's upcoming presidential election in May. U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation earlier this month, attributing the unrest to mass migration rather than educational grievances. His remarks sparked debate over the underlying causes of the protests. In addition to domestic tensions, the protests coincide with broader economic pressures on France. The country faces a public debt of nearly $4 trillion, or 119% of GDP, and has proposed $48 billion in spending cuts and tax hikes to reduce its deficit. Despite these constraints, the government plans to increase military spending by $7.2 billion in 2027, compared to just $1.2 billion more for education. The proposed budget also includes eliminating 1,588 teaching positions. Amnesty International has criticized the French government for what it describes as disproportionate use of force against students exercising their right to protest. The organization highlighted the injury sustained by the 15-year-old in Lens as a particularly egregious case. As the protests continue, the focus remains on whether the French government will prioritize investing in education or redirecting funds toward military expansion. The situation reflects a larger debate across Europe regarding the allocation of public resources and the balance between national defense and social welfare.