France’s new PM, Sebastien Lecornu, faced his first big challenge on Wednesday as nationwide “Block Everything” protests caused chaos in several cities. protestors blocked roads, set fires, and clashed with police, testing Lecornu’s leadership just a day after he took office. Police used tear gas and made nearly 200 arrests in Paris and other parts of the country.
The unorganized 'Bloquons Tout' (or 'Block Everything') movement spearheaded the protestors. They wanted to interfere with day-to-day activities and compel the administration to lift austerity measures. Protesters blocked traffic, threw objects at police, and built barricades in Paris and other major cities.
In Rennes, a group of protestors set a bus on fire. Others damaged a power line in the southwest, which disrupted train services. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau accused the protesters of trying to create “a climate of insurrection.”
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The government deployed nearly 80,000 police officers to control the unrest. Officers broke barricades, cleared crowds, and made swift arrests. The demonstrations were not as large as previous protests like the yellow vest movement, but they still created serious traffic jams and safety risks across France.
Sebastien Lecornu became Prime Minister after the previous government collapsed. Former PM François Bayrou lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday, which forced President Emmanuel Macron to name a new leader.
Just one day later, Lecornu was faced with protests that immediately turned into his first major test. Many observers say how he handles these demonstrations will decide both his credibility and the future stability of France’s politics.
The “Block Everything” movement began online earlier this summer. It does not have a formal leader but has attracted large groups of young and angry citizens. They are calling for the government to reverse austerity measures and address inequality.
This movement is unplanned, i contrast to the planned yellow vest demonstrations. This makes it more difficult for authorities to maintain control because individuals can rapidly congregate in multiple locations at once.
Although Wednesday’s protests caused widespread disruption, they were smaller compared to earlier mass demonstrations in France. Movements like the yellow vest crisis, the pension reform strikes, and the riots after the 2023 police shooting drew much larger crowds and created greater unrest.
Still, the latest protests added to the political tension and showed that anger against the government has not gone away.
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Authorities are keeping a close watch on the protests. PM Lecornu is under pressure to maintain composure while demonstrating strong leadership.
But protesters have made it apparent that their demands are still in place. In the upcoming weeks, more protests may be held by the 'Block Everything' movement if the government does not address their concerns.
