FRANCE – The Block Everything movement in France began on Wednesday, with over 700 gatherings expected to happen simultaneously across the nation, each with over 3,000 participants.
Local reports indicate that at least 200 participants have been arrested, with 132 people in Paris and others in various parts of France. Around 80,000 law enforcement officers to be deployed to maintain order according to ministry of defense as authorities fear mass unrest.
Previous Reports
In Marseille, several hundred protesters and in Lyon, up to 300 demonstrators gathered, knocking over trash cans and blocking traffic.
The mobilization has also reached high schools, with several in Paris blocked.
More than 100,000 people are expected to participate in France’s “Block Everything” movement on Wednesday.
The grassroots protest that started on social media urged citizens to “Block Everything” on Sept. 10 with the aim of bringing the country to a halt in opposition to outgoing Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s national budget plan.
Gaining momentum with the support of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, the movement originated with a small online group “Les Essentiels,” saying: “On September 10, we stop everything, not to escape, to say no.”
Meanwhile, French trade union organizations also called for a day of mobilization across the country on Sept. 18 to protest Bayrou’s budget proposals.
Bayrou, who unveiled a 2026 budget framework in July, was seeking support for a plan to save nearly €44 billion ($51 billion) as part of efforts to reduce France’s soaring public debt, now at 113% of its GDP.
French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu as the country’s new prime minister on Tuesday. He has been tasked with holding consultations with political parties before forming his government.
France has one of the EU’s largest budget deficits at 5.8%.
Budget negotiations have been a major source of tension in French politics.
The failure to reach an agreement on the 2025 budget last year led to the collapse of the Michel Barnier government in December, after left-wing and far-right parties united behind a no-confidence motion.
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