Protests swept through France on Wednesday as demonstrators disrupted traffic, set fire to rubbish bins, and clashed with law enforcement in an effort to “Block Everything” in a display of frustration against President Emmanuel Macron, the political establishment, and proposed budget reductions. Despite the deployment of tens of thousands of security personnel who swiftly dismantled blockades, officials confirmed that the country was not completely paralyzed at the moment, although some confrontations occurred.
A total of nearly 300 protesters were apprehended nationwide during the protests. Many participants expressed their discontent towards Macron, who is already grappling with political unrest following the united opposition’s defeat of his government on Monday.
In response, the president appointed a close confidant, conservative Sebastien Lecornu, as the new prime minister, who assumed office on Wednesday facing the same challenge of addressing France’s escalating debt as his predecessor.
During a protest in Paris, Fred, a representative for the RATP public transport branch of the CGT union, criticized Macron, stating, “It’s the same situation, it’s Macron who’s the issue, not the ministers. He needs to step down.”
In Paris, law enforcement deployed tear gas to disperse youths obstructing a high school entrance, while firefighters cleared burnt objects from a barricade. Police also prevented a large group of around 1,000 protesters from entering the Gare du Nord train station in the city.
The “Block Everything” movement, characterized by widespread discontent and lacking centralized leadership, emerged online in May among right-wing factions before being adopted by the left and far-left. The movement, reminiscent of the 2018 “Yellow Vest” protests, which originated from fuel price hikes and evolved into a broader demonstration against Macron and his economic reform agenda, reflects public dissatisfaction with what protesters view as a dysfunctional ruling elite advocating for harsh austerity measures.
The protests were fueled by anger over budget cuts proposed by former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, which led to his ousting and subsequent defeat in the parliamentary confidence vote on Monday. Protesters called for increased funding for schools and hospitals, emphasizing the need to eliminate Bayrou’s policies.
Various demonstrations took place across the country, with protesters blocking highways in cities like Nantes and Montpellier, prompting law enforcement to use tear gas to disperse the crowds. Highway operator Vinci reported disruptions on major routes in Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Lyon, while incidents of attempted blockades and disruptions were reported in Bordeaux and Toulouse.
Interior Minister Retailleau disclosed that 80,000 security personnel were deployed nationwide, including 6,000 in Paris, as reports estimated that around 100,000 individuals were anticipated to participate in the protests.