France witnessed widespread protests on Wednesday as thousands took to the streets under the banner of the “Block Everything” movement, venting their anger at President Emmanuel Macron’s government. Demonstrators blocked roads, clashed with police, set fires, and disrupted train services in several cities, including Paris.

Authorities confirmed that over 200 people were detained in the early hours of the unrest. A bus was torched in Rennes, and train services in the southwest were suspended after damage to power lines. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau accused protesters of trying to create “a climate of insurrection.”

Despite the deployment of nearly 80,000 police officers across France, protesters managed to build barricades, burn garbage bins, and obstruct traffic. Commuters in Paris and other regions faced long delays.

Why the protests started

The unrest came just days after Prime Minister François Bayrou resigned on Monday, after a failed parliamentary confidence vote. Bayrou’s proposals to cut public holidays and freeze pensions had sparked outrage. Soon after, President Macron named Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu as the new prime minister, the fourth appointment within a year. Opposition parties slammed the move as out of touch with people’s anger.

A growing movement

The “Block Everything” campaign began online earlier this year and has spread rapidly among students, workers, and unions. With no central leadership, the movement is difficult to control. Protest tactics include strikes, boycotts, blocking roads, and withdrawing money from banks, similar to the Yellow Vest protests of 2018–2019.

Travel chaos

The demonstrations caused serious transport disruptions. The RER B train line connecting Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport was suspended, forcing passengers onto buses. Several airports, including Nice and Marseille, warned of delays and cancellations.

Pressure on Macron

Lecornu, now the fifth prime minister in Macron’s second term, has been tasked with restoring political stability and passing the budget. But with a divided parliament and growing public frustration, analysts warn his survival could be uncertain.

Unions argue Macron’s austerity policies hit ordinary citizens hardest while protecting big businesses. Protesters have vowed to continue, with another major strike by air traffic controllers already scheduled for September 18.

The turmoil marks another tough chapter for Macron’s presidency, drawing comparisons to the Yellow Vest movement that shook France just a few years ago.