Tear gas fired at Paris students as protests enter fourth phase

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French police fired tear gas at a barricaded high school in northeastern Paris on Thursday as student protests entered what organisers called “Act IV.”

The clashes followed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s televised address, in which he acknowledged students’ concerns but rejected their main demands. The Education Ministry said 375 schools were fully or partially closed, while the Interior Ministry reported more than 6,600 arrests since the protests began in late September.

The movement, which began at a Paris-region high school in mid-September over school funding, has since spread nationwide. On Tuesday, around 266,000 people joined demonstrations across France, including 56,000 in Paris.

President Emmanuel Macron had urged restraint by police, particularly when dealing with minors. The Interior Ministry also said police would stop using stun grenades at student protests after one injured a 15-year-old boy in Lens.

In his Wednesday address, Lecornu said young people’s anger was understandable but condemned vandalism and attacks on schools. He rejected demands for school renovations, more teachers and higher teacher salaries, instead pointing to a planned €1.2 billion increase in the education budget.

Lecornu also announced the release of 10 million barrels of diesel from strategic reserves, saying it could reduce fuel prices by 12 to 18 euro cents per litre.

Opposition leaders criticised the government’s response, while student unions have called for another nationwide protest on October 17.