Dozens of people arrested in Paris as a day of protests begins across France – follow live

Image source, Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for “calm” ahead of today’s protests, saying he believes in the right to protest but calling on demonstrators to show “respect for people and property.”

Earlier this week, his spokeswoman said Macron feared his “legitimate” concerns would be “exploited” by political forces.

that of France Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu suggested this week that student anger was being manipulated by the French left-wing party La France Insoumise.

“The members of France Insoumise (of Mélenchon) are exploiting the high school movement for their electoral advantage,” Lecornu declared on Wednesday, accusing them of encouraging the protest.

Following a visit to a vandalized school on Thursday, Minister of Education Édouard Geffray called on protesters to say that “the violence must stop” and that “only dialogue” will solve the problem.

Jordan Bardellapresident of the far-right National Rally, said he was “worried” as the demonstrations approached, according to comments cited in the French media, believing that it was an “opportunity for chaotic France to rally behind Jean-Luc Mélenchon”, the leader of La France Insoumise.

We haven’t heard yet Mélenchon himself, who was a prominent elderly face among students at rallies in recent weeks. His party shared details of today’s protests on social media.