Andrew Smith, a liberal arts lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, analyzes the rising social tensions in France, particularly the protests related to education and the cost of living.
According to him, the violence observed during these gatherings, which remain largely peaceful, reflects a serious failure of police work. He highlights a troubling gap between legitimate popular demands and the government response, which is increasingly shifting towards a security-focused approach.
Smith also criticizes the reaction of President Emmanuel Macron, deeming it insufficient and lacking substantial measures to address the root causes of the protests. He draws parallels with historical French social movements, identifying a convergence of factors such as economic insecurity, inequalities in the education system, and political paralysis.
Finally, he warns that this repressive response risks worsening the current social crisis. He advocates for renewed commitment to a “participatory social democracy” to ease tensions and meet citizens’ expectations.
