France is witnessing significant protests led by a grassroots movement named Bloquons Tout ('Let's Block Everything') as citizens express their anger against the government and proposed budget cuts. Demonstrations coincide with the inauguration of new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who took office after the previous Prime Minister, François Bayrou, was ousted through a no-confidence vote earlier this week.
Protesters have taken to the streets, blocking roadways, igniting trash bins, and disrupting schools and other public infrastructure across the country. By mid-morning, approximately 250 arrests were reported, according to outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
In Rennes, a bus was set ablaze, while near Toulouse, electric cables were vandalized. Thousands gathered in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Montpellier to voice their opposition.
While the demonstrations are gaining attention, they have remained relatively small-scale. In Paris, around 1,000 protesters, many wearing masks or balaclavas, clashed with police outside Gare du Nord, attempting to breach the station before officers deployed tear gas to disperse them. Protesters were vocal against President Emmanuel Macron and Lecornu, with some carrying placards denouncing the ongoing war in Gaza.
The movement Let's Block Everything emerged on social media a few months back and gained traction through the summer, rallying support against Bayrou’s proposed €44 billion budget cuts. Characteristically left-leaning, the movement demands increased public service funding, heavier taxes on wealth, rent freezes, and Macron's resignation. In the lead-up to the protests, they called for acts of civil disobedience against what they term 'austerity, contempt, and humiliation'.
Participants, including young protestors outside Gare du Nord, voiced their solidarity with those facing precarious situations throughout France. Alex, a 25-year-old protestor, voiced frustration with Macron’s economic policies, expressing doubt over Lecornu’s capability to break from the past.
Lecornu, a loyalist of Macron, is now the fifth Prime Minister in less than two years and faces immediate challenges in crafting a budget that appeals to a divided parliament. This setup underscores the difficulties that have toppled his two predecessors due to conflicting ideological approaches to the country’s growing deficit, which stood at 5.8% of GDP in 2024.
His appointment has met criticism not only from the political right but also from leftist factions. He will face a no-confidence motion from the radical-left France Unbowed party. Despite the tension in the Assembly, far-right leaders have pledged to hear Lecornu’s proposals, albeit with skepticism.
In a brief address following the transition of power, Lecornu thanked Bayrou and assured the public, We'll get there. He emphasized the need for sobriety in tackling the current political crisis and promised to engage more effectively with opposition parties and unions moving forward.
