French student protests widen amid unrest, Trump blames immigration
Briefing by News4U · First published
Nationwide protests that began over schools and living costs escalated into clashes, 1,800 arrests and curfews; Trump and Vance blame immigration.
French student protests that began over teacher shortages, crumbling classrooms and university admissions have widened to fuel prices and living costs, leading to clashes that torched a town hall and prompted overnight curfews in several cities including parts of Paris. [1] [3]
Donald Trump and JD Vance blamed the unrest on immigration, with Trump writing that “France is burning” and urging Paris to close its borders; Vance said Western liberals had “imported the third world into France.” [3]
The demonstrations have added pressure on President Emmanuel Macron six months before the April presidential election. [2] [3]
Sources
- French student protests: 'There's been lack of investment in education for years now'
France 24 English · · Full text
- Citi’s Manthey Sees French Equities Volatile Beyond April Vote
Bloomberg · · Summary only
- Trump borrows from far right to blame unrest in France on immigration
The Guardian · · Full text