Political Parties Criticize Government's Handling of Matignon Meeting on October 17 Events

French political parties, especially from the left, expressed deep dissatisfaction following the October 22 meeting at Matignon with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu regarding the recent social unrest and youth protests of October 17. Manuel Bompard, coordinator of La France insoumise (LFI), said he intended to demand apologies and political responses from Lecornu, condemning the government's handling of the events. He criticized the government’s approach as incompetent and time-wasting, aggravating the suffering of citizens and businesses. Bompard's demands include repealing the Parcoursup higher education system, allocating 10 billion euros for student union requests, increasing the minimum wage, and banning weapons during protests.

Other left-wing figures echoed concerns about the government's focus on public order rather than the social issues driving protests. Alexis Corbière of LFI emphasized that law enforcement should manage protests without restricting public freedoms. Guillaume Lacroix, president of the Parti Radical de Gauche, warned that misinformation is fueling social anger. Sabrina Roubache, Minister for Professional Education, lamented the neglect of vocational high school students' demands. Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire of Paris expressed frustration over limited involvement in protest preparations, while Maud Bregeon, government spokesperson, clarified that maintaining order was a key goal discussed at Matignon.

Raphaël Glucksmann, a presidential candidate, noted the lack of clear answers from the government during discussions, reflecting widespread unease with the meeting's outcomes. Meanwhile, Rassemblement National leaders reported reassurances from the Prime Minister and Interior Minister regarding their party congress.

Amid these criticisms, the mayor of Marseille urged avoiding a repeat of the turmoil on October 17, while Lyon’s mayor supported upcoming protests scheduled for October 24.

This response from political figures highlights mounting tensions between the government and opposition over handling France's recent social upheaval, underscoring demands for concrete political action instead of focusing mainly on public order concerns.