Protesters reach 300 m from Elysee Palace in France, police fire tear gas

France is in turmoil, and President Emmanuel Macron faces a major political crisis. On Sunday (October 18), thousands of angry protesters who took to the streets demanding education reforms reached the vicinity of the Élysée Palace, the president's official residence. They were only 300 metres from the presidential building, causing panic among France's security agencies.

The situation became so serious that the crowd and its fervour went beyond the police's control. France's Interior Minister himself admitted that the police were helpless before such a large crowd and had completely lost control of law and order. The incident stirred French politics, and there was talk that Macron's government and his hold on power were at risk.

The front of left-leaning students and citizens broke all the barricades put up for security. They were preparing to enter the Élysée Palace. Seeing the situation turn uncontrollable, security forces finally had to use tear gas.

After tear gas shells were fired, the crowd began to disperse. At that point, a special riot control squad (RIOT Police) described as right-leaning was immediately deployed. The security cordon around the presidential residence was tightened several times over, averting a major disaster. After the disturbance, the Interior Minister showed readiness to resign, but President Macron rejected the resignation and said the country needed strict police reforms.

The agitation did not remain limited to peaceful marches. In some places it turned violent. Protesters attacked more than 1,500 shops in different parts of the country and looted on a large scale. Several videos have gone viral on social media showing protesters breaking the glass of big malls and shops and looting goods.

After the violence, President Macron issued a video with a stern message. He condemned the protesters and called them "plunderers". Macron warned in clear terms that no one who tried to plunder the French Republic and spread anarchy in the country would be forgiven. According to French police figures, more than 2,500 protesters have so far been arrested in connection with the violent protests. The government is assessing the full damage.

The main reason behind the anger is said to be the worsening state of France's education system. Left-wing student organisations and political parties said openly that French schools currently have a severe shortage of teachers and that students face countless difficulties in getting a good education.

According to French government figures, there is said to be one teacher for every 24 children in the country, but the real situation is different. Dilapidated school buildings, overcrowded classrooms and growing problems with learning have caused sharp anger among students. This discontent has exploded in the form of this agitation, which has directly shaken the president's seat.