On Wednesday, protesters took to the streets across France, disrupting traffic, setting fire to trash bins, and occasionally clashing with police, all in an effort to “Block Everything” as a sign of frustration with the political elite and planned budget reductions.
Security forces were deployed nationwide to swiftly dismantle any blockades, officials reported, ensuring that France remained unblocked for the time being. Law enforcement arrested dozens of protesters, and minor conflicts with police were noted.
The protests occurred amid political upheaval, following the removal of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou by parliament in a confidence vote due to his debt-reduction strategies.
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On Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron appointed his fifth prime minister in under two years, selecting close ally Sebastien Lecornu, which sparked anger among left-wing politicians.
In Paris, firefighters cleared burnt debris from a barricade erected by students to block traffic near a high school. Paris police reported 132 arrests during the protests.
“It’s the same issue; Macron is the problem, not the ministers,” stated Fred, a CGT union representative from the RATP public transport sector, during a Paris protest.
“The ministers are an issue, but it’s more about Macron’s leadership style that needs to change,” he added.
The “Block Everything” movement—an informal expression of dissatisfaction lacking centralized leadership and organized primarily through social media—originated online in May among right-wing factions, according to researchers and officials, but has since been embraced by the left and far-left.
In Nantes, protesters obstructed a highway with burning tires and bins, while police used teargas to disperse crowds attempting to occupy a roundabout.
In Montpellier, police clashed with protesters who had established a barricade to halt traffic at a roundabout. A protester held a banner declaring: “Macron resign.”
Police used teargas to disperse protesters, some of whom retaliated by throwing objects.
Highway operator Vinci reported protests and traffic disruptions on highways nationwide, including in Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Lyon.
The “Block Everything” movement mirrors widespread dissatisfaction with what protesters view as a malfunctioning ruling class advocating harsh austerity measures.
This movement has been likened to the 2018 “Yellow Vest” protests, which initially protested fuel price increases but expanded into a broader opposition to Macron’s economic reform plans.
Approximately 50 masked individuals attempted to initiate a blockade in Bordeaux, while in Toulouse, a fire was quickly extinguished but nonetheless disrupted train services, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau informed reporters on Wednesday morning.
He noted that 80,000 security personnel had been deployed across the nation, including 6,000 in Paris. French media indicated that 100,000 participants were anticipated for the demonstrations.
