On Wednesday, France witnessed widespread demonstrations, with the Ministry of the Interior reporting 200,000 participants across the country, while labour unions estimated a higher figure exceeding 250,000. French police arrested 473 individuals as protesters sought to disrupt transport and daily life, following the collapse of Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government just two days prior, due to unpopular austerity measures. By 6 pm that evening, 812 actions had been recorded, including 550 gatherings and 262 blockades, with thirteen members of the security forces sustaining minor injuries.
Authorities deployed 80,000 police officers and gendarmes as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Paris and other cities. The decentralised nature of these protests meant various groups organised different actions across the capital, often leading to swift dispersal by police. Some protesters resorted to lighting fires, constructing barricades, and attempting to block Paris’ ring road, one of Europe’s busiest urban motorways. Early in the morning, bins were set ablaze and tram tracks obstructed around the Porte de Montreuil in eastern Paris, before law enforcement intervened. Similar attempts to block highways were also met with police intervention.
Following a meeting of the inter ministerial crisis unit, outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau maintained his stance, characterising Wednesday’s actions as a defeat for those who wanted to bring the country to a standstill. Tensions notably escalated around Paris’ Gare du Nord, a major European train station. Police closed access as protesters attempted to force entry, deploying tear gas, which unfortunately affected some travellers caught in the vicinity. The largest protests, reported around Place du Chatelet and Place des Fêtes, remained relatively calm, though the palpable underlying anger persisted throughout the day.
Many protesters expressed significant frustration with President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint his former defence minister and long time ally, Sébastien Lecornu, as the new prime minister just a day earlier. A middle school teacher conveyed a strong sense of dissatisfaction, wishing Macron had instead extended an olive branch to the left wing coalition, the New Popular Front (NFP). This coalition had secured the most seats after snap elections but lacked an absolute parliamentary majority. A student and actress articulated a collective sentiment, stating, “We are here to show Macron that we’re done with all of this. He can’t just keep ignoring us and what the people want,” also highlighting concerns about budget cuts impacting the culture sector.
Conversely, a driver who proactively cleared barricades from a road, while supportive of the underlying grievances, remarked, “I do understand their anger. Something needs to be done.” Other bystanders exhibited more caution or even criticism of the unfolding events. A project manager living in the Montreuil area acknowledged the right to protest, stating, “I agree that we should have the right to protest. The current situation just can’t continue,” but also added, “But I don’t think we should vandalise or break stuff. Because who pays? It’s us taxpayers. I understand the anger, but it’s not like we can change things.”
The “Block Everything” movement, although less formally organised than the 2018 Yellow Vests protests, gained significant momentum this summer. It was fuelled by widespread anger over inflation, austerity measures, and a perceived dysfunctional political class. An Ipsos poll indicated 46% of French people supported the movement, encompassing many on the left and over half of far right National Rally voters. Two major unions, CGT and SUD, officially backed Wednesday’s actions, with broader strikes scheduled for 18 September.
Eric Challal, a representative of SUD Rail Paris, explained that the organisation joined to express dissatisfaction that has been accumulating for months. He articulated, “What’s being expressed today is what we’ve been feeling all summer, fed up and angry since the Bayrou budget plan was announced, asking us to work more.” He further stated, “We’re fed up with paying, we’re working hard, we’re barely managing to keep our heads above water and to think that the hole in the deficit would be our fault is unbearable to hear.” Bayrou’s former government had proposed measures, including slashing two bank holidays to reduce France’s public deficit, which had ignited widespread anger. A university student summarised the sentiment: “It’s time for Macron and politicians to understand we are serious. We’re angry with the political system and the fact that the ultra rich and corporations are not paying enough taxes.”
This is a complex and deeply rooted situation, and it is clear that the tensions in France are far from resolved.
