Student protests in France during the 2025 school year did not escalate into riots, unlike in previous years. Typically, high school students demonstrate against poor school conditions and a shortage of teachers, but this year, no fire trucks were burned, no teachers were attacked, and no police officers were chased. The change seems to be linked to the ongoing election campaign, with student and university unions showing support for the political party La France insoumise (LFI). The mayor of Saint-Denis suggested that some forms of protest might be seen as legitimate, and Mathilde Panot, an LFI member, referenced the words of Thomas Sankara, a former leader of Burkina Faso, to encourage students. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a leader of LFI, urged demonstrators to use non-violent methods. The focus of the protests has shifted from previous issues, such as accusations of antisemitism against Jordan Bardella and the reactions from Marine Le Pen and Bardella himself. Instead, the attention is on the fires at schools and the increasingly heated rhetoric from LFI leaders. Some analysts suggest that the current unrest could benefit the far right, potentially increasing votes for Marine Le Pen in the 2027 election. The strategy of LFI leaders might involve creating a scenario where, if Marine Le Pen wins, the resulting student unrest could lead to more violent demonstrations. Political scientist Jérôme Jaffré noted that current events resemble a rehearsal for potential post-election violence. Concerns are growing that if the far-right gains power, the response to protests could be more violent, leading to deaths and escalating unrest. Some fear that the situation could reach a point of no return, with significant consequences for France. The possibility of such an outcome has raised alarms among experts and citizens alike, who are watching the political landscape closely.