What do the French riots mean for the future of France? | BBC News

What began as a revolt over public school funding has spilled into a much bigger fight over the future of France.

Now, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets, and clashes with police have left teenagers and officers injured. More than 6,000 people have been arrested, most of them minors.

But what sparked these demonstrations? How could they shape next year’s election in France? And why have they become a conservative political talking point in the US?

The Global Story’s own Tristan Redman — a Paris resident himself — speaks with co-host Asma Khalid about the history of Parisian street protests, what he’s heard from students on the ground, and what this movement could mean for France’s future.

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Timecodes:
0:00 What are the protests in France actually about?
1:43 Tristan explains the protest scenes in France
4:48 Was there a catalyst for the demonstrations?
6:30 What are the demands from the students?
8:13 Is the French government taking it seriously?
9:30 Is there a leader of this movement?
10:59 Is Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the far-left leader, involved?
12:37 Does this have anything to do with French immigration?
15:07 What is Marine Le Pen suggesting?
15:57 What happened in France and the world in 1968?
18:02 How does this reflect the overall mood in France?