France is witnessing a wave of protests today, led by the grassroots movement Bloquons Tout (Let's Block Everything), as citizens voice their anger toward the political class and proposed budget cuts. The demonstrations are occurring simultaneously with the swearing-in of new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who took office after the recent removal of his predecessor, François Bayrou, via a no-confidence vote.
Protesters have been actively blocking streets, setting garbage bins on fire, and disrupting access to schools and infrastructure nationwide. By mid-morning, approximately 250 individuals were arrested, as reported by the outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. Noteworthy incidents included a bus being torched in Rennes and sabotage of electric cables near Toulouse.
Thousands gathered in major urban centers including Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Montpellier. Despite the scale of protests, the disruptions have remained relatively small, with the heaviest police clashes occurring outside Paris's Gare du Nord, where around 1,000 masked protesters faced off against law enforcement, who deployed tear gas to prevent them from entering the station.
Participants expressed their discontent with President Emmanuel Macron and the newly appointed Lecornu, carrying placards that also highlighted opposition to the ongoing war in Gaza. The militant group Bloquons Tout, which emphasizes left-wing ideologies, demands increased investment in public services, higher taxes for wealthy individuals, a freeze on rents, and even Macron's resignation.
In the lead-up to the protests, the activists called for acts of civil disobedience against what they label as austerity, contempt, and humiliation. One young protester articulated solidarity with vulnerable groups across France, describing exhaustion from the government's handling of the nation's growing debt situation and skepticism towards Lecornu's potential to break the cycle of political dissatisfaction.
Lecornu, a loyal ally of Macron, is now the fifth prime minister in less than two years. His appointment faces immediate criticism from both the far-right and left-wing factions in the parliament. He must navigate complex budget negotiations within a hung parliament, a task that previously led to the downfall of his two predecessors. As France grapples with a 5.8% deficit of GDP, diverse parties in the Assembly struggle to align on solutions.
The radical-left party France Unbowed has already announced intentions to file a no-confidence motion against Lecornu. However, this motion's success hinges on cooperation from other parties, with the National Rally asserting they will assess Lecornu's proposals without expecting substantial change.
In a brief address after the transition of power, Lecornu acknowledged the challenges ahead, stressing the need for sobriety and humility in governing, and pledged to engage with political parties and trade unions immediately.