The recent turmoil in France highlights growing concerns as tensions mount both on the streets and in the political arena with an upcoming presidential election that will determine who follows Emmanuel Macron.
October 20, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. EDT
Protests regarding underfunded schools unfolded in Paris on Oct. 8, revealing deep-seated dissatisfaction (Aurelien Morissard/AP).
Less than two days after protests erupted in cities across France, unrest quickly escalated into riots. Cars were torched, and shops suffered damage. Amid the chaos and public discontent, President Emmanuel Macron departed for the Persian Gulf.