French Young Communists report 1,000 new members amid student mobilisations

The figure was given in an interview with MJCF national leader Adeline Roulet published by Liberté Actus on 19 October.

According to Roulet, the MJCF participated in nearly 200 school blockades across its 60 federations, helping organise student demonstrations and bring demands from secondary schools into the wider movement. She described the scale of the organisation’s participation as unprecedented in its recent history.

The mobilisation began in secondary schools in September and subsequently spread to universities and other sections of the population. Students have protested over overcrowded classrooms, shortages of educational staff, insecure prospects for young people and the Parcoursup university admissions system. The protests have also become part of broader demonstrations over living costs, low wages, unemployment and precarious work.

In a statement dated 20 October, the MJCF argued that the movement should expand beyond schools and universities to include apprentices, young workers and trade unions. It called for the repeal of Parcoursup and selection-based university admissions, better protection for apprentices and trainees, the creation of one million jobs, and measures to improve students’ financial independence.

The organisation also rejected street violence and looting, arguing that such incidents divert attention from the movement’s social demands and risk weakening public support. Instead, it called for a wider mobilisation through demonstrations and strike action. It announced plans to resume school blockades and other actions on 2 November, followed by participation in nationwide strikes and demonstrations on 5 November.

The reported increase in membership suggests that the protests have provided an opportunity for the MJCF to recruit and expand its organisational presence among young people.