Protests in France: what are the causes of the crisis, and what are the consequences?
In recent weeks, mass protests have been taking place in France. France is one of the important countries of the European Union. The situation in France and who comes to power are considered among the factors influencing the fate of the region.
Protests in France: What are the causes of the crisis, and what are the consequences?
These protests began in early November with small actions by high school students, expanding over the past weeks into a nationwide phenomenon. Today, the situation in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon has gotten out of control. The town hall building in the city of Limoges was set on fire. Thousands of shops are being looted, cars are being set ablaze in the streets, and more than 2,400 protesters have been arrested.
Unlike past protests, this time the actions were also directed against state institutions and symbols. For this reason, today's protests can be described as filled with radical, destructive elements.
In half a year, in April 2027, presidential elections are scheduled to take place in France. Macron's term is coming to an end. Amid the protests, he himself has no intention of resigning prematurely.
These protests will have a serious impact on the upcoming presidential election. Extreme right-wing and extreme left-wing forces on the political arena have greater influence than ever before. The leader of the far right, namely the nationalists, Marine Le Pen, made the following statement: "France needs a tough president. If I become president, there will be no such protests. I will strengthen and increase the police force, and order will be reinforced."
The leader of the far left, the equality-advocating "France Unbowed" party, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has been supporting the protesters, accusing the police of showing excessive aggression. He called for not stopping the protests, but at the same time urged an end to violence and the looting of shops.
According to polls, 35 percent of the French intend to vote for Marine Le Pen. On the eve of the elections, this figure could rise even further. In the presidential election, it is unlikely that any of the candidates will receive more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round alone. If Marine Le Pen advances to the second round, her chances for the presidency will increase significantly. The coming to power of the far right and Islamophobes in France, on the other hand, will seriously affect European Union policy.
Although high school students initiated the protests, today the initiative is in other hands. The flagbearers of these protests are the black blocs. Representatives of the black bloc are mostly young people covering their faces with black cloths. Among them are many yellow vests, Africans, Arabs, the unemployed, and local French people. The black bloc is not a group or a movement, but a method: causing maximum damage, committing vandalism. In this way, they strive to express their social and political grievances.
At the same time, there are two major factors underlying these protests.
The first is the social, economic, and political discontent that has accumulated in France over decades. Life is getting more expensive, and wage growth relative to prices is significantly low. The cost of rent, education, and living is high. The state, meanwhile, is busy cutting social programs. This is because to balance the budget, the French government will need to save at least 54 billion euros. This further increases discontent related to pensions and social protection.