France's student protests took a breather on Wednesday after weeks of unrest, but market pressure on the French government intensified ahead of crucial budget negotiations due to start next week.
The student rallies, now stretching into their third week after violent clashes with police, mass school closures and thousands of arrests, are expected to resume on Thursday. What began as a Parisian student protest pressuring the government to address teacher shortages, lengthy timetables and derelict schools has evolved into a nationwide movement that has garnered support from people of various ages.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Wednesday morning that officials would use the pause in demonstrations to open dialogue with high school students. He is due to address the nation on Wednesday evening.
"The demands [of students] are numerous and vary from one high school to the next. They must be assessed objectively, school by school," he said in a post on X on Tuesday. "Substitutes, the state of the buildings, guidance, organization of school time, high school democracy: all topics must be put on the table."
But he added that conversations must be had "without giving in to politicized manipulations."