Macron offers concessions to students, but France’s protest movement refuses to back down

French student leaders vowed to continue protests despite government offers of billions of euros in education funding, smaller high-school classes and more university places. The concessions follow two weekends of nationwide demonstrations over living costs and deteriorating public services. On Saturday, the Interior Ministry counted 410,000 protesters nationwide and 1,314 arrests, while unions reported higher turnout. The government is now facing further demonstrations on October 31 and a nationwide strike on November 5, with public debt near 120% of GDP limiting its room for additional spending.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-minister-says-halloween-protests-could-turn-violent-2026-10-26/

France’s Interior Ministry reported 410,000 demonstrators and 1,314 arrests during Saturday’s protests:

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/10/25/second-weekend-of-french-protests-unfold-without-serious-incidents-the-right-to-protest-is-just-as-important-as-the-right-to-vote_6763726_5.html

French bond yields approached a 24-year high amid political uncertainty: https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/french-bond-yields-near-24year-high-as-new-protests-loom-4959545