French social tension escalates as university and school blockades continue

Tensions between student activists and educational leadership have escalated across France following the failure of Parcoursup reform negotiations at Matignon. Thousands of secondary students, university researchers, and faculty members marched in Paris and major cities on November 10, maintaining momentum from earlier cost-of-living demonstrations.

Controversy surrounding police tactics has further fueled the unrest. Management at the University of Caen Normandy requested formal explanations from authorities after law enforcement entered campus grounds, deployed tear gas, and charged a group of demonstrators before withdrawing. Meanwhile, educators in Saint-Denis gathered to support high school personnel facing police oversight.

Despite the government introducing a 0.6 percent discretionary raise to the minimum wage alongside a standard inflation adjustment, major unions dismissed the measure. The CGT has officially called for a coordinated national strike and demonstration on November 17.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération.