France’s budget debate sparks massive student and union protests over education funding

The French National Assembly opened debate on the 2027 budget, featuring a €1.2 billion boost for the National Education Ministry amid one of the eurozone’s highest deficits. Simultaneously, teachers’ unions and student groups staged nationwide demonstrations, condemning long school days, overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated facilities and chronic teacher absences. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said 3,000 supply teachers would be sent to priority schools, but only 35 % of that target had been met.

Union leaders such as Elisabeth Allain-Moreno and Morgane Verviers called the government’s response inadequate, while student union spokesperson Sabrine Kharbach criticized the budget for favoring a €413.3 billion military program. The protests attracted figures like Greta Thunberg and France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and have been accompanied by numerous arrests and injuries.