As student protests continue to ripple across France, a prominent voice in the European Parliament has accused the government of Emmanuel Macron of mishandling the crisis. Emma Rafowicz, a French MEP from the Socialists and Democrats group, told European Pulse that the administration's approach is "completely irresponsible," and that the violence seen in recent demonstrations is not a reflection of the students' actions.
Rafowicz, who represents Paris in the European Parliament, pushed back against the narrative that protesters are primarily responsible for the clashes. "The violence is not general in the student protests," she said. "Most of the violence comes from the police side." Her comments come as French authorities have faced scrutiny over the use of stun grenades, which were halted after a teenager was injured during a demonstration.
A generation mobilizing, not rioting
Rafowicz emphasized that the young people taking to the streets are doing so with purpose and discipline. "They are mobilising quite well," she said, describing a generation that is engaged and determined to be heard. The protests, which began over concerns about school conditions and broader educational policy, have grown into a wider movement against what many see as neglect of the country's youth.
The MEP accused the government of deliberately looking the other way. "They are hoping the protests will dissipate during the holidays," she said, suggesting that the Élysée is betting on fatigue rather than addressing the underlying grievances. This strategy, she argued, is both cynical and shortsighted.
Schools "in shambles"
At the heart of the unrest are the conditions inside French schools. Rafowicz painted a stark picture: "French schools are in shambles." She cited falling ceilings in classrooms and food that fails to meet basic quality standards. These are not isolated incidents, she said, but symptoms of a systemic failure to invest in public education.
"This reflects a disrespect for the young people," Rafowicz added. "When you let ceilings fall and serve substandard meals, you are telling students that they don't matter." Her remarks echo the grievances of protesters who have rallied in Paris and other cities, including a symbolic retaking of the Bastille led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
Political fallout and European dimension
The protests have become a political flashpoint, with opposition figures like Mélenchon using them to challenge Macron's authority. The government, for its part, has acknowledged student anger but has offered few concrete concessions. Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently acknowledged the frustration while urging calm.
Rafowicz's criticism extends beyond the immediate handling of the protests. She sees a broader pattern of neglect that has left France's education system struggling. "We are not investing in our future," she said. "The government is more interested in image than in substance."
The situation in France is being watched closely across Europe, as other countries face similar debates over education funding and youth engagement. The protests have also intersected with other social movements, such as the farmers' demonstrations against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, highlighting a broader discontent with establishment politics.
As the holidays approach, the question is whether the protests will indeed fizzle out, as the government hopes, or whether the anger will persist into the new year. Rafowicz is skeptical of the government's strategy. "You cannot just wait for people to go away," she said. "The problems will still be there when they come back."
For now, the streets of Paris and other French cities remain a barometer of a generation's frustration. And with voices like Rafowicz's in the European Parliament, that frustration is finding resonance beyond France's borders.
