Sébastien Lecornu, the French Prime Minister, announced his defense of the police's handling of protesters following serious injuries to two students in recent protests. One student suffered serious hand injuries, and the other lost his eyesight.
Justification of Police Actions
Lecornu stated in a parliamentary session: "What provokes police action is the occurrence of urban violence." He also responded to the question of whether such incidents are possible, saying: "The answer is yes." The Prime Minister also rejected the label of "police violence," stating that this implies officers have been ordered to use force.
Pressure on the French Government
The center-right government of Emmanuel Macron is under increasing pressure due to student protests across the country. While Lecornu was speaking, protesters from several unions and teaching organizations, along with high school and university students, gathered in the streets. Representatives from France's leftist parties were also present at the rally.
The protesters are calling for increased funding and improved working conditions in high schools. This movement began in the working-class suburbs of Paris and has quickly turned into a political issue, especially as the presidential election campaign for next year is taking shape.
Concerning Incidents
On Monday, a 15-year-old boy in northern France suffered serious hand injuries from the explosion of a grenade. The local prosecutor stated that he cannot definitively say whether the student picked up the grenade or if it was thrown at him. In Tours, a 16-year-old also lost his eyesight after being hit by a projectile that may be a non-lethal police riot weapon.
Boris Vallaud, the leader of the Socialist group in parliament, announced that lawmakers intend to propose legislation regarding the use of non-lethal weapons that could cause irreparable harm during student protests.
