France is witnessing a significant wave of protests led by a grassroots movement named Bloquons Tout (Let's Block Everything) in response to deep anger directed at the political class and proposed budget cuts.
The demonstrations coincided with the swearing-in of new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, following a no-confidence vote that ousted his predecessor, François Bayrou, earlier in the week.
Across the nation, demonstrators blocked roads, ignited trash bins, and disrupted access to key infrastructures and schools. By mid-morning, around 250 arrests were reported by the outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
A bus was set ablaze in Rennes, and electrical cables near Toulouse were sabotaged, showcasing the intensity of the unrest.
Gatherings occurred in major cities such as Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Montpellier. However, the overall scale of the disruption appeared limited. Most arrests were concentrated in Paris, where around 1,000 masked protesters clashed with police at the Gare du Nord train station.
Some protesters attempted to breach the station but were thwarted by police firing tear gas, with many chanting political slogans criticising President Emmanuel Macron and the newly appointed Lecornu. Several carried placards against the ongoing war in Gaza.
The movement Bloquons Tout emerged on social media and gained traction over the summer, encouraging protests against Bayrou's proposed €44 billion budget cuts. It adopts a distinctly left-wing agenda, demanding increased public service investments, higher taxes for wealthier individuals, rent freezes, and Macron's resignation.
Prior to the protests, the movement urged followers to participate in acts of civil disobedience against perceived austerity measures and systemic disrespect.
Young protesters outside the Gare du Nord expressed solidarity with the vulnerable, voicing frustration over Macron's handling of France's growing debt crisis. Alex, 25, stated, We are very tired of how Macron has been handling the situation, fearing that Lecornu may not alter the existing cycle.
Lecornu is a known supporter of Macron and marks the fifth individual to hold the prime ministerial position in less than two years. His leadership has already faced criticism from both far-right and left-wing factions.
The new Prime Minister must navigate a challenging budgetary landscape while addressing the differing views among the deeply divided Assembly, as France's deficit hit 5.8% of GDP in 2024.
Despite the political turbulence, Lecornu has pledged to engage in constructive dialogues with opposition factions and unions to resolve the ongoing crisis.
