Block Everything protests erupted across France on Wednesday, turning Sébastien Lecornu’s first day as prime minister into a street test of authority. Demonstrators denounced budget cuts and political turmoil. Meanwhile, police fired tear gas to clear barricades in cities from Paris to Rennes and Marseille.
Scale of Action and Arrests
By late afternoon, the Interior Ministry counted more than 800 protest actions and 175,000 participants. Over 330 people were in custody, including 106 in Paris. By evening, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said nearly 200,000 people had marched. Authorities reported more than 450 arrests nationwide. The CGT union claimed closer to 250,000 people in the streets. In Rennes, protesters burned a bus. Moreover, cable arson in the southwest disrupted train traffic.
What Sparked the Block Everything Protests
The loosely organised Block Everything protests grew on social media and encrypted chats. They called for blockades, strikes, and boycotts. Anger surged after the outgoing government proposed €44 billion in spending cuts. They also floated scrapping two public holidays, moves critics say would hit workers and public services. Protesters framed the day as a pushback against inequality and President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership. This echoed tactics from the 2018 Yellow Vest movement.
Political Stakes for Lecornu
Lecornu promised a “clear change… in substance” and pledged to work with opponents. He tries to form a cabinet and pass a budget in a fractured parliament. France has cycled through crises: pension reform anger, unrest after a police shooting, and now the Block Everything protests testing a new prime minister from day one. Retailleau called the outcome “a defeat for those who wanted to block the country.” Yet, scattered fires, transport disruptions, and hundreds of arrests showed the challenge Lecornu inherits. The Block Everything protests will continue to shape his first moves—and France’s search for stability.
