Student and Education Unions Walk Out of France's 'Parcoursup' Reform Meeting to Protest Far-Right Presence

The first meeting of the committee tasked with reforming the university admissions platform "Parcoursup," held on Monday, November 9, came to an abrupt end after a major portion of student and high school organizations, alongside the education sector's inter-union coalition, walked out in protest against the presence of far-right representatives and employers' organizations.

Categorical Refusal to Sit with the Far Right

Manon Moret, General Secretary of the National Union of Students of France (Unef), told the press: "We left this meeting as a united union front, and we stress that we will never enter a room alongside the far right, with individuals responsible for spreading racist and fascist ideas and hate speech." For her part, Héloïse Lefebvre-Milon, co-general secretary of the "Union étudiante," described the presence of the far right at the meeting as "shameful."

Union leaders condemned the participation of the student union "Uni," which describes itself as the "leading right-wing student movement," as well as the presence of Thierry Tesson, National Rally (RN) Member of Parliament for the Nord department, and Gaëlle Frontoni, Union of Democrats for the Republic (UDR) Senator for the Alpes-Maritimes department. In contrast, the only youth groups that chose to remain were "Uni," the "Renouveau lycéen" high school organization, and several elected members of the National Council for School Life (CNVL).

Student and high school organizations had previously boycotted a consultation session on the "Parcoursup" platform on October 21 for the same reason, following the attendance of a representative from "Uni."

Criticism of Employers' Influence and the Future of Education

The meeting, announced last week by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, followed talks between the head of government and representatives of youth organizations. The committee brings together representatives from high school and student organizations, education unions, parliamentarians, and employers' delegates.

Student unions' criticism was not limited to political attendance, but also targeted the role granted to employers' organizations. Héloïse Lefebvre-Milon stated: "We refuse to reform higher education based on the needs of corporations; youth must be listened to instead." She noted that the youth inter-union coalition, comprising Fage, Union étudiante, Unef, and USL, continues to demand the complete abolition of the "Parcoursup" system.

For its part, the government announced two weeks ago adjustments to the post-baccalaureate orientation platform—which faces widespread criticism from families and students—paving the way for its complete replacement by 2028.

Union Concern Over Prolonged Deadlock

For their part, the education unions that walked out expressed profound dissatisfaction. Sophie Vénétitay, General Secretary of Snes-FSU, the leading secondary education union, stated: "The government is incapable of offering any new answers to students and educational staff."

Morgane Verviers, General Secretary of Unsa Éducation, also warned of the deteriorating situation, saying: "We are concerned because this deadlock has dragged on for a long time, and we genuinely need to find a political way out to resolve this crisis."