French lycées face new blockades as government seeks calm ahead of act V

High-school mobilisations that began in mid-September are set to intensify with fresh blockades on Monday and a flagship “act V” protest scheduled for Tuesday, which the government hopes will mark a downturn in the movement. Education officials reported that the majority of secondary schools stayed operational on Friday, signalling a possible de-escalation. The independent Defender of Rights, led by former minister François-Noël Buffet, has logged 28 individual complaints related to the demonstrations, and it has opened its own investigation into a severe incident in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône where a 14-year-old suffered grave facial injuries from a tear-gas grenade.

The authority emphasized its commitment to safeguarding minors’ rights while ensuring police conduct adheres to professional standards. The ongoing unrest also worries medical students who are about to sit for a critical national internship exam, as any disruption could jeopardise the testing schedule.