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Roads Blocked: Protesters blocked streets, lit fires, and clashed with police across France on Wednesday. In Paris, barricades appeared during the morning rush, while police responded with tear gas. The actions came a day after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister. Demonstrators sought to pressure the new government immediately, calling the campaign a “baptism of fire” for the 39-year-old Macron ally. (Reuters photo)
2 / 10Mass Arrests: Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reported nearly 200 arrests in the first hours of the demonstrations, most in and around Paris. Authorities deployed 80,000 police nationwide, breaking up barricades and clearing roads. The large-scale security presence prevented protesters from fully achieving their stated goal of “Block Everything,” but disruption was widespread. Bus fires, damaged power lines, and halted trains were reported in several cities. (AP Photo)
3 / 10Unrest Legacy: While disruptive, Wednesday’s protests appeared less intense than earlier waves of unrest under Macron. The president faced mass “yellow vest” demonstrations during his first term, months of anger over pension reform after his reelection in 2022, and rioting in 2023 following the fatal police shooting of a teenager. Protesters’ tactics on Wednesday revived memories of those crises, raising fears of another prolonged standoff. (AP Photo)
4 / 10Protest Tactics: In Paris, groups attempted to block the city’s ring road, built barricades from rubbish bins, and hurled objects at police. Similar actions occurred in Lyon, Nantes, Marseille, and Rennes, where a bus was set ablaze. In Marseille, police prevented around 200 people from blocking a major road. Protesters also disrupted rail lines and schools, slowed traffic, and blocked key access points throughout the country. (AP Photo)
5 / 10New Prime Minister: The protests coincided with the formal arrival of Sébastien Lecornu as France’s seventh prime minister since Macron took office in 2017. Lecornu replaces François Bayrou, who lost a confidence vote in parliament after pushing budget cuts worth 44 billion euros. Macron appointed Lecornu late Tuesday, just hours before demonstrations began. The unrest instantly tested the new leader’s ability to govern during a volatile political moment. (AP Photo)
6 / 10Movement Origins: The protests were organised under the slogan “Bloquons Tout,” or “Block Everything.” The movement emerged over the summer on social media and encrypted channels, calling for strikes, demonstrations, and blockades. It has no clear leadership but has attracted diverse groups angry over inequality and proposed budget cuts. The lack of structure recalls the “yellow vest” protests of 2018, which also grew without formal organisation (Reuters photo)
7 / 10Budget Anger: Many demonstrators targeted Bayrou’s unpopular spending cuts, which sought to stabilise France’s public finances. Opponents argued the austerity measures would fall hardest on workers and pensioners while sparing the wealthy. “None of this is OK,” said Chloe, a student in Toulouse. “The working class suffers the most.” Protesters across the country framed their actions as resistance against economic inequality and rising financial pressures. (Reuters photo)
8 / 10Voices of Dissent: On the streets, many protesters linked Lecornu’s appointment directly to their anger at Macron. In Lyon, a demonstrator named Florent called the decision a “slap in the face.” Others expressed disappointment at the turnout, with Cedric Brun, a union leader in Valenciennes, saying he expected larger crowds. “It’s unfortunate that there are more revolutionaries on Facebook than in real life,” he said. (Reuters photo)
9 / 10Political Fallout: Macron’s office said the president believes political agreement remains possible while respecting differing views. Lecornu posted on X that his government would focus on unity and institutional stability. However, the hard-left France Unbowed party announced it would file a no-confidence motion against him. Lecornu’s immediate challenge is drafting a 2026 budget without repeating Bayrou’s fate, which saw him ousted in less than a year. (Reuters photo)
10 / 10Uneven Impact: Transport disruptions varied across France. High-speed trains and most Paris metro services ran normally, but other rail lines and some flights were delayed, including at major airports. Police used tear gas in Nantes, stopped demonstrators in Marseille, and battled barricades in Lyon. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez suggested the “radical left” was behind the unrest, but said it lacked support from broader civil society. (Reuters photo)
