French protests: Is it game over for Macron’s centrists before elections? | Protests News
PARIS, France — Following a weekend of violent protests across the nation, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the unrest in a speech on Sunday evening, expressing his acknowledgment of student concerns while condemning the rioters.
“Those who have destroyed property must pay. Those who have looted must reimburse their victims. Those who sought to bring down the republic will be held accountable,” Macron stated.
However, Macron’s remarks did not resonate with some protestors, like 20-year-old Yanis from Ivry-sur-Seine. “He gave his usual ‘bla bla bla speech’ without putting forward anything concrete,” Yanis said, vowing that protests would continue weekly until there is meaningful change.
The recent protests reflect a growing dissatisfaction among France’s youth toward centrist politics, particularly the policies of Macron’s administration. The unrest comes as the country approaches the 2027 presidential election, deepening political divides as various parties vie to address the frustrations manifesting on the streets.
Populist-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has embraced the student movement, while far-right politician Marine Le Pen has framed the protests as a security crisis. Centrist Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has accused the extreme left of triggering violence in what he described as a “warm-up round” for the upcoming election.
Polls suggest that both left and right factions could play significant roles in the next election as calls for change grow louder. However, there remains little consensus on how that change should materialize. Macron, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, will not be a candidate in the next election.
“Candidates have no choice but to take a stand and address young people,” said Beligh Nabli, a political analyst and professor of public law at UPEC-Paris XII. “They have a political obligation to craft a meaningful message for young voters, addressing their demands.”
Since launching their protests in mid-September, students have called for better educational resources, increased teacher staffing, and a fairer education system. This movement has spilled into broader social and economic issues, capturing national attention and prompting discussions typically centered on older voters’ concerns, such as pensions.
“The current mobilization has brought these youth issues to the forefront of political discourse, which might not have occurred otherwise,” Nabli noted.
The left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), led by Mélenchon, has been a strong supporter of the student movement. Critics, however, argue that the party is exploiting the unrest for political gain. Nonetheless, LFI has maintained appeal among younger voters, addressing core grievances like education investment and teacher compensation.
In a recent OpinionWay poll published by Les Echos, Mélenchon garnered 49 percent support among voters aged 18 to 24, marking a 10 percentage-point increase since the 2022 election.
For some young demonstrators, backing Mélenchon signifies both a rejection of the far-right and discontent with centrist politics. Lydia, a 21-year-old student, expressed her intent to vote for LFI to counteract both the National Rally and the centre’s policies. “I know they might not solve our problems, but it feels necessary,” she said, criticizing what she views as a growing demonization of leftist ideologies.
Conversely, Le Pen and her National Rally party have leveraged the protests to focus on law and order, asserting that the government has failed to maintain control. Le Pen currently leads in the presidential race with 32 percent support and ranks second among voters aged 18 to 24.
“Our cities, streets, and country have been mistreated and looted,” Le Pen stated in a video message on Sunday. She characterized the situation as a crisis of trust and authority that threatens democracy.
Caught amid these competing narratives is Macron’s centrist coalition, which began its term during the Yellow Vest protests and now faces another wave of unrest. Unlike the previous movement, which began with a fuel tax hike, this current situation presents a unique challenge as future leaders will need to address public discontent without robust financial resources; France’s deficit stood at 5.1 percent of its GDP last year—one of the highest rates in Europe.
The current mobilization has highlighted widespread disillusionment with the political establishment, as Macron’s approval rating has fallen to a historic low of 15 percent.
In his recent address, Macron attributed the violence to “insurrectionists from fringe far-left groups” while only briefly acknowledging student grievances. He tasked Lecornu with facilitating discussions among stakeholders to develop proposals in the coming days while committing to a firmer approach against violence.
The unrest has created openings for opposition parties to argue that Macron’s presidency has failed to adequately tackle entrenched inequalities. With the support of younger generations on the line, political leaders across the spectrum are gearing up to engage this demographic in advance of the forthcoming election.
