French student and cost-of-living protests persist amid police tensions

Demonstrations and educational blockades have intensified across France amid persistent social unrest over living costs and proposed education reforms. Tensions flared following the breakdown of Parcoursup reform talks at Matignon and a police intervention at the University of Caen Normandy, where officers deployed tear gas on campus grounds.

Despite a slight drop in overall turnout during weekend cost-of-living rallies, tens of thousands of students, secondary school teachers, and trade union members have staged nationwide protests. In response, the French government announced an additional 0.6 percent increase to the minimum wage alongside an automatic one percent inflation adjustment. Union leaders quickly rejected the concession as inadequate, with the CGT union calling for a major national strike on November 17.

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