French Student Protests: A Viral Slogan and a Structural Crisis

Key points

• The slogan 'Bismillah, c'est les ténèbres' originated from a Snapchat message students believe was sent by an undercover police officer trying to infiltrate protest groups.
• The phrase, which translates to 'In the name of God, it's the darkness', is intentionally nonsensical and mocks the clumsy attempt to sound like a teenager.
• The movement started in Créteil, south-east of Paris, on 18 September 2026, and quickly spread nationwide, with around 400 schools blockaded on 2 October alone.
• The protests have spread to Belgium and Italy, with Greta Thunberg using the slogan during a visit to striking students in Seine-Saint-Denis on 13 October.
• The core grievances include long school days, overcrowded classrooms, run-down schools, and teacher absences, which disproportionately affect working-class suburbs and minority communities.

Background

The current protests are part of a broader movement that has been ongoing since September 2026. Previous coverage highlighted the severe injuries sustained by teenagers during police crackdowns, with the Interior Minister suspending the use of stun grenades after a 15-year-old lost a hand. President Macron has warned of political exploitation of the protests ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while acknowledging the students' grievances. The government faces a fiscal crisis, limiting its ability to fund the requested €10 billion investment in schools.

How outlets are covering it

Euronews focuses on the viral nature of the slogan and its spread across Europe, while Le Monde emphasizes the structural issues in the education system, citing a 20% drop in the budget per student since 2017. France 24 highlights the students' demand for structural change rather than short-term solutions. The outlets differ in their emphasis, with Euronews and France 24 focusing on the immediate events and the slogan, while Le Monde provides a deeper analysis of the long-term budgetary and structural problems.

Why it matters

The protests highlight the deep-seated issues in France's education system and the growing political consciousness among young people. The viral nature of the slogan and its spread across Europe indicate a broader movement against structural inequalities and the government's failure to address the needs of students. The protests also raise questions about police conduct and the government's response to the unrest.

What to watch

The government is expected to provide concrete responses to the students' demands within weeks. The protests are likely to continue, with potential for further escalation and international attention. The outcome of the 2027 presidential election may be influenced by the government's response to the protests and the students' demands for structural change.