PARIS – Protesters staged demonstrations across France on Wednesday, disrupting traffic and clashing with police in a coordinated “Block Everything” movement. The actions, organized via social media, express deep anger at the political class and planned austerity measures.The unrest comes during a period of intense political instability, just two days after the parliament ousted Prime Minister Francois Bayrou in a confidence vote. President Emmanuel Macron’s subsequent appointment of his fifth prime minister in two years, Sebastien Lecornu, has further inflamed public discontent.
In Paris, 132 people were arrested as students built barricades. The western city of Nantes saw a highway blocked with burning tires, while in Montpellier, police used tear gas to disperse roundabout blockades. Protesters carried banners demanding “Macron resign,” echoing the sentiment of a transport union representative who stated, “it’s Macron who’s the problem.”The movement, which began online among right-wing groups, has been largely adopted by the left and far-left. It draws comparisons to the 2018 “Yellow Vest” protests, targeting a ruling elite perceived as dysfunctional.Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed 80,000 security forces were deployed nationwide to swiftly remove blockades. While major disruptions were reported in cities like Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse, officials stated that France was, for now, not completely blocked. Dozens of arrests were made as the government worked to contain the widespread expression of popular discontent.
