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France faces widespread “Block Everything” protests after Francois Bayrou’s government collapse, with fires, blockades, and 300 arrests.
A protester holds a photograph of President Macron upside down during a demonstration as part of the “Bloquons tout” (“Let’s block everything”) protest movement (AFP)
France Protests: Massive protests broke out across France on Wednesday as protesters blocked roads, set fires, and clashed with police under the banner of the “Block Everything” movement.
Demonstrators set trash bins alight, disrupted train traffic, and occupied roundabouts in scenes that recalled the turbulence of the “Yellow Vest” protests of 2018.
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The protest is a broad expression of discontent with no centralised leadership and an ad hoc organisation by social media. It sprang up the European nation just two days after the collapse of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s government.
According to multiple reports, the protests were organized via Telegram channels following the government’s fall on Monday and French President Emmanuel Macron’s swift appointment of his long-time ally, Sebastien Lecornu, as the new PM.
Around 300 Arrested
According to the Associated Press, nearly 300 people were arrested during the first hours of unrest, as thousands poured onto the streets. In Paris, protesters set barricades alight and were dispersed with rounds of police tear gas.
Interior minister Bruno Retailleau said that a bus was set ablaze in Rennes and that train services in the southwest were halted after damage to a power line. He accused protesters of trying to create “a climate of insurrection.”
Disruption Despite Police Deployment
The President Emmanuel Macron-led government had deployed 80,000 police officers across the country in an attempt to prevent the disruption. Despite this, protesters erected barricades, lit fires, and staged demonstrations across multiple regions. Garbage bins were set alight in Paris, while commuters reported blockages on key thoroughfares.
The protests were widespread across French cities. In Nantes, demonstrators blocked a highway with burning tires while police fired tear gas at groups trying to seize control of traffic circles. In Montpellier, barricades went up at roundabouts before being dismantled in scuffles with officers. Bordeaux saw attempts to start new blockades, and in Toulouse, fires briefly disrupted train services.
Although the “Block Everything” movement did not fully achieve its declared aim of paralysing the country, it created major flashpoints that disrupted transport, work commutes, and daily life.
PM Lecornu Pledges ‘Profound Break’
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu promised a “profound break” with the past on Wednesday as he faced the thorny task of trying to build a government with enough parliamentary support to pull the country out of a political crisis.
Lecornu, 39, promised to find “more creative” ways than before to work with opposition parties to try to build a stable government, news agency AFP reported.
“We will get there,” he said during a handover ceremony.
Lecornu is the seventh prime minister since Macron took office in 2017 — and the third within the space of a year.
Why The Protests?
The “Block Everything” movement, or bloquons tout, is not led by unions or political parties. Instead, it is a spontaneous uprising that began earlier this year and snowballed over the summer, fueled by online calls for action. Initially associated with right-wing groups, it has since been adopted by the left and far-left, giving it a broad and unpredictable character.
The demands are varied but connected by a common thread: anger at austerity and inequality.
Protesters are specifically opposing budget cuts implemented to address France’s growing debt. The recent ousting of former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who championed these unpopular measures, has only intensified the political instability and fueled the movement’s momentum.
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
Paris, France
September 10, 2025, 23:54 IST
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