Interior Minister reauthorizes stun grenades for Saturday protests
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Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has stated that tear gas grenades may be deployed during Saturday's demonstrations if serious violence erupts, marking a reversal of their previously suspended use during the student movement. This announcement comes as calls for a broader protest on October 17 circulate online, with hopes of merging high school student activism with the 'Gilets Jaunes' movement, which was initially sparked by fuel price anger.
Tensions have been further heightened by an incident at Paul-Éluard high school in Saint-Denis, where police attempted to arrest a student inside the principal's office, prompting teachers to go on strike and demand the principal's resignation. Student organizations have also shifted their stance, now insisting on negotiating solely with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
In other domestic news, a proposal within the 2027 Social Security financing bill to limit access to family and housing benefits for non-EU foreigners is facing significant opposition from the left. Lawmakers are also divided over a tax deduction for retirees in the 2027 budget, highlighting a generational conflict. Furthermore, a Senate report on violence in extracurricular activities recommends widespread background checks and controls for staff, citing failures in Paris.