French riots over cost of living could boost Le Pen's far-right party

Mass protests in France have escalated into riots, with up to 800,000 demonstrators, mostly students, causing injuries, arrests, and property destruction, potentially benefiting Marine Le Pen's right-wing party. The unrest began over poor school conditions and has widened to cost-of-living grievances. The protests started September 21 in Créteil over dilapidated facilities, teacher shortages, and the Parcoursup university portal, spreading to 700 schools. Violence by hooded "casseurs" included looting and attacks on police, drawing parallels to May 1968 and echoing similar protests in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium. Le Pen has capitalized on the violence by promising discipline and targeting "casseurs" as migrants, while left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon faces potential ruin. The outcome hinges on Macron's government addressing student demands amid deep societal anger ahead of the April 2027 presidential elections.