# Social unrest ahead of French elections: Protesters 'don't believe politics can achieve anything'

https://mins.news/en/item/135922

- France 24, 2026-11-09 16:52 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.france24.com/en/social-unrest-ahead-of-french-elections-protesters-don-t-believe-politics-can-achieve-anything

> France’s 1.6% minimum-wage increase in response to nationwide protests may briefly ease social unrest but does little to address the deeper political and institutional crisis. Lancaster University senior lecturer Renaud Foucart says the central issue is declining faith in politics, with persistent demonstrations ahead of the presidential election reflecting deep disillusionment with the system’s ability to deliver meaningful change.

## Related coverage

- [France brings forward minimum wage increase in bid to quell protests](https://mins.news/en/item/135977) — Al Jazeera, 2026-11-09
- [Social unrest ahead of French elections: Protesters ‘don’t believe politics can achieve anything’](https://mins.news/en/video/135909) — France 24 English, 2026-11-09