France is learning the hard way what happens when the socialist bill comes due

France’s budget strains are colliding with renewed unrest in multiple cities, escalating protests into widespread destruction and prompting fresh debate over who will pay. The Louvre closed Monday “due to a student social movement,” while incidents reported include rioters setting fire to the town hall in Limoges, destroying its iconic tower, and vandals breaking into Marseille’s city hall. In Paris, online videos circulated showing a confrontation with police and youths allegedly chanting insults during street violence. The article links the current wave to anger over class sizes, deteriorating schools, and access to college, along with complaints that pensions and the cost of living are too high, fueling calls for more state spending.