“On Tuesday, the Russian disinformation network Matryoshka circulated 12 pieces of fake news on X about the protests in France, impersonating various French media outlets, including France24, Le Figaro, BfmTv and Le Parisien,” says Colon, a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris

From the pro-Russian Doppelgänger network to Iranian and Algerian media, Moscow, Tehran and Algiers have exploited the protests to fuel discontent and attack Macron. Brussels is investigating foreign disinformation campaigns that are alleged to have helped stir up the demonstrations

On social media, footage of the violence, looting and destruction that struck several French cities over the weekend has been widely shared and commented on within the American extremist sphere. This has fuelled a narrative linking public disorder to France’s progressive migration policies

“Macron seems to have absolutely no realisation of the gravity of the situation. He is convinced that these are still sporadic violent demonstrations. This, however, is a full-blown uprising,” Brice Couturier, an essayist and expert on French politics, tells Il Foglio. 

After five rounds of protests, students are criticising the lack of concrete commitments and threatening to block schools. Mélenchon’s La France insoumise supports their demands – ranging from Parcoursup to funding for schools – and is aiming to join forces with the ‘yellow vests’ on Saturday. Greta Thunberg is also taking to the streets.

With 66 per cent of the vote, the leader of Place Publique has trounced Faure and his other rivals. He now aims to unite the moderate left – from the Greens to the Socialists – to challenge Mélenchon and Le Pen in the 2027 presidential election.

The French government is attempting to quell the protests by promising more funding for schools, whilst Le Pen and Mélenchon are proposing opposing approaches to taxation and public spending. Meanwhile, students continue to demand more teachers, better schools and 10 billion euros