French student unions call for continued mobilisation after meeting PM

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Government meets student unions as Macron promises 'concrete' measures after weeks of unrest

On Monday the French government met student representatives, and unions hailed progress but called for fresh demonstrations on Saturday, October 31. Macron said the government will announce "concrete and strong" measures answering high school students' demands, and ruled out a state of emergency for now. This follows Saturday's cost-of-living marches, when the Interior Ministry reported at least 1,300 arrests and said at least 50 officers and three protesters were hurt, while the government fast-tracks a bill making protesters liable for damage.

• Student unions met the prime minister on Monday and plan new protests on October 31.
• Macron ruled out a state of emergency for now and is heading to Marseille.
• Saturday's marches drew 410,000 people nationwide, per the Interior Ministry, which put Paris at 110,000; unions claimed 800,000.
• Trade unions accuse Macron of trying to curb the right to protest over the bill on liability for vandalism damage.