Student protests against the education system in France have not ended despite the new regulations announced by the government.
The demonstrations, which initially emerged with the demands of students, turned into large-scale protests across the country with the participation of unions and the Yellow Vest movement.
President Emmanuel Macron's minority government announced a billion-Euro investment and improvement package in the field of education in the face of increasing social reactions.
However, student representatives found the steps taken by the government insufficient and announced that they would continue the protests.
Student representatives met with government officials in Paris and announced that the protests would continue after the meeting.
Louis Letoublon, one of the representatives of high school students, stated that not all of their demands were met and said, "Not all of our demands were met. We will continue our struggle no matter how long it takes."
The students' decision revealed that the new education package announced by the government was not enough to end the protests.
BILLIONS OF EUROS EDUCATION PACKAGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT
Macron's government announced a comprehensive improvement package to fix problems in the education system and calm student protests.
Within the scope of the package, it is envisaged to impose an upper limit on the number of students in some high school classes, to provide a loan of 4 billion Euros for the renovation of school buildings, and to change the university admission system, which students find socially unfair, by 2028.
In addition, it is planned to invest 1 billion Euros in university campuses, increase student scholarships in line with inflation and open 15 thousand additional quotas in higher education.
Minister of Education Edouard Geffray, in his statement regarding the regulations, said, "It is clear that we need to relieve the pressure on the education system."
However, the government did not share an exact figure for the total cost of the package. The ongoing protests across the country witnessed violent incidents in many cities.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that 1,435 people were detained across the country during the demonstrations held on Saturday.
It was stated that there was no sign that the protests would end after the violent incidents in dozens of cities nine days ago.
Macron acknowledged that new incidents may occur over the weekend and stated that security measures will be maintained.
EXTREME RIGHT-WING GROUPS AND LEFT-WING DEMONSTRators CAME FACE TO FACE
Interior Minister Nunez said that it was a new development that in the recent protests, far-right groups took to the streets in an organized manner and confronted far-left demonstrators.
Nunez stated that some nationalist and identitarian movements have called for participation in the demonstrations on the grounds of protecting workplaces.
Stating that far-right groups act in an organized manner, especially in the cities of Nice and Montpellier, Nunez noted that these groups mainly target far-left movements.
President Macron visited Marseille to inspect the damage caused by Saturday's demonstrations and thank emergency response teams.
Macron stated that security measures will continue and that work will be carried out to move the protests outside the city centers.
In France, demonstrations with larger participation are planned to be held across the country on November 5.
PROTESTS HAVE BENEFITED LE PEN: THE DIFFERENCE HAS BEEN WIDE IN THE SURVEYS
Increasing social unrest and security concerns in France also affect the political balance before the presidential elections planned to be held next year.
It is stated that far-right Marine Le Pen increased her support in opinion polls after the protests.
According to a poll published on Sunday, Le Pen's vote share was measured between 32 and 33.5 percent.
The vote rate of his closest rival, radical left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, remained at 17 percent.
Polls indicate that Le Pen may win a comfortable victory over Melenchon in the second round elections, which are expected to be held at the beginning of May.
ALARM IN THE ECONOMY: TRADESMEN CLOSED THE SHUTTERS
The economic effects of the protests in France are also getting worse.
Alain Di Crescenzo, President of the Union of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI France), announced that many retailers kept their workplaces closed due to security concerns after the violent incidents on October 17.
Stating that this situation has caused serious decreases in sales, Di Crescenzo said in his statement to Radio Classique, "We have tired and demoralized tradesmen. We are killing local trade."
On the other hand, the selling pressure on government bonds eased on Monday after the international credit rating agency Moody's did not downgrade France's credit rating.
However, the fact that public debt is approaching 120 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) makes it difficult for the government to make new spending decisions.
The high borrowing need also puts pressure on negotiations regarding next year's budget.
