French Student Protests Spread to Belgium Amid Political Clashes
Jean-Luc Mélenchon joined mass student demonstrations in France as the unrest spread to Belgium, prompting government accusations of political exploitation ahead of the presidential election.
Nationwide student demonstrations over education funding and dilapidated facilities have escalated across France and Belgium. In Paris, riot police used tear gas to disperse students at the Helene Boucher Lycee, contributing to more than 6,600 arrests since the movement began in late September. The Education Ministry reported that 375 schools were partially or fully closed on Thursday.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left party France Unbowed, joined protests in Paris and St.-Denis, positioning himself as a defender of student grievances. While Mélenchon called for nonviolent struggle, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu accused France Unbowed of hijacking the movement to create chaos before the upcoming presidential election. France Unbowed leaders rejected these claims, attributing the violence to heavy-handed police tactics.
The unrest has spread to Belgium, where students are demanding smaller classes and more teachers. In Liege, Mayor Willy Demeyer banned public gatherings until October 16 after clashes involving water cannons and tear gas led to nearly 90 arrests. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin warned that those responsible for the violence would face legal consequences.
