French high school protests continue as Senate to review 'casseurs-payeurs' bill on October 27

French high school student protests continue Monday with 400 to 500 schools, or 10 to 13 percent, fully or partially closed due to security concerns, as the government pushes a new "casseurs-payeurs" law through parliament. The bill, announced by government spokesperson Maud Bregeon, will be examined in the Senate on October 27 and aims to make vandals pay for damages by potentially deducting from social benefits like housing aid. The government also plans to create collective responsibility for anyone remaining in a violent gathering after police orders to disperse. The protests, which began in mid-September over poor learning conditions and Parcoursup inequalities, have resulted in 5,000 arrests, 170 student injuries, and 600 police casualties. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has proposed a five-point plan, while opposition figures call the student grievances legitimate.