France's Cost-of-Living Revolt: Teachers Join Student-Led Protests

France faces widening disruption to its schools as teacher unions prepare to join student protests, bringing demands for better-funded education into a broader confrontation over living costs and public spending.

About 400 high schools were closed or affected by protests on Monday, out of roughly 3,700 nationwide.

Tuesday’s planned teacher walkout threatens further disruption as the government struggles to reconcile demands for public services with mounting financial pressure.

Teachers Back Student Demands

Unsa, the CFDT and the CGT are among the unions urging teachers to strike alongside students.

A major march was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Paris.

Students want fewer pupils in each class, repairs to deteriorating buildings and changes to university admissions.

Their campaign began around Paris in September before spreading rapidly last week.

Some school blockades have involved fires and confrontations with police.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said about 5,000 people were arrested during last week’s unrest, with minors accounting for 85%.

The government has described the disorder as “urban violence” and accused the far left of driving the movement.

An Odoxa survey published by Le Figaro found that 62% of respondents supported the student mobilization.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked ministers to develop responses to the students’ demands.

In a letter sent Sunday, he pointed to a proposed €1.2 billion increase in education funding next year.

Public Services Meet Fiscal Limits

The education dispute exposes a central problem for Lecornu: pressure to improve services is growing while investors demand tighter control of France’s finances.

The government wants to bring the deficit down to 5% of economic output in 2027 after failing to reach that target this year.

Its proposals include tax increases and freezes affecting housing assistance and family benefits, while teachers and other public employees oppose proposed wage freezes.

France’s debt is roughly $4 trillion, equivalent to 119% of annual economic output.

Debt-servicing costs are projected to reach about $100 billion in 2027.

The yield on French 10-year government bonds remained close to 5% on Monday, reflecting investor unease over the budget and political instability.

“France’s position looks unsustainable, and the bond markets are saying that, but they’re not screaming it yet,” said Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff.

Fuel Costs Broaden the Unrest

Higher fuel prices have added another source of anger. Fishermen blocked ports and fuel terminals in September, while social media calls for renewed Yellow Vest demonstrations have gained momentum.

Macron chaired a G7 meeting last Thursday, where leaders agreed to release 100 million barrels of crude oil and diesel from reserves to ease price pressure.

Further demonstrations are planned for October 17, backed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed party.

Five unions have also called strikes for November 5 over pay, employment and public services.

Election Pressure Complicates the Budget

With the presidential election less than seven months away, opposition parties have little incentive to make concessions.

Marine Le Pen, who leads first-round polling, is due to present her fiscal proposals Tuesday, including a longer-term €125 billion savings plan.

Her National Rally has signaled that it could help the budget proceed, although it has ruled out unconditional support.

“We want to avoid the worst - an escalation of the bond market crisis,” National Rally lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy said.

For Lecornu, the immediate challenge is to contain school unrest while securing a budget in a parliament where the government’s survival remains uncertain.