French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon clash over violent student protests for more school funding

In France, high school students have been protesting for more education resources, leading to violent clashes with police, school fires, and hundreds of arrests. On October 1, attackers doused a headteacher in petrol in Marseille and set fire to a fire truck. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu clashed with far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who defended the protesters and accused the government of repression. The protests come as the government announced spending cuts in the 2027 budget, and they have become a political issue ahead of the presidential election next spring.