Over 80,000 police officers have been mobilized in response to widespread protests against President Macron’s administration and its austerity measures.
Published On 10 Sep 2025
In a significant show of dissent, hundreds of individuals have been apprehended as protests organized by leftist groups under the banner “Block Everything” unfolded across France.
In the early hours of the protests, over 200 arrests were made as demonstrators set fire to trash bins and obstructed highways, fueled by growing dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron amidst a national political upheaval.
The substantial police presence responded with measures including tear gas and numerous detentions.
These protests, part of a burgeoning grassroots initiative known as “Bloquons Tout,” aim to channel widespread anger towards the government’s austerity policies through strikes, blockades, and other acts of civil disobedience.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reported incidents of violence, including a bus set ablaze in Rennes and damages to a power line disrupting train services in the southwest. Nevertheless, these protests initially seemed more restrained than prior unrest against Macron’s leadership.
The call to “block everything” arose following the ousting of former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou after a failed confidence vote, leading to the appointment of Macron’s close associate, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, as his successor.
Lecornu’s appointment marks the fifth prime minister in less than two years for France, illustrating a period of instability within the government.
Florent, a protester from Lyon, expressed to AFP his frustration over Macron’s appointment of a close ally to the prime ministerial role, calling it “a slap in the face.”
“We are fatigued by his consecutive governments; change is necessary,” he stated.
The “Block Everything” movement, which has gained traction on social media, is driven by widespread discontent regarding budget cuts promoted by Bayrou, as well as escalating concerns over poverty and inequality that have surged in recent years, as reported by France’s statistics bureau.
The spontaneous nature of these demonstrations echoes the earlier “Yellow Vest” movement that challenged Macron during his first term, when activists protested rising fuel costs and pro-business policies in increasingly volatile protests.