The French government marked a day of reduced protests and fewer confrontations, with hundreds arrested, yet organizers saw less participation than expected.
The Bloquons Tout (“Block Everything”) movement drew protesters to the streets against President Emmanuel Macron’s government. This mobilization followed the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu, which came just a day after the ousting of former leader François Bayrou.
The Prime Minister’s swift changes—Macron has now replaced seven ministers—underscore some underlying turbulence in France’s political landscape.
Home Minister Bruno Reciro praised the deployment of tens of thousands of police as a success in maintaining order, asserting that the government triumphed over disruption attempts, expressing gratitude to law enforcement. By Wednesday night, government statistics indicated 473 arrests, alongside 550 protests and 262 lockdowns.
About 267 fires were reported, and the government estimated participation at around 175,000. This figure, however, was below the Left union’s claim of 250,000 participants.
The day of protests involved routine demonstrations but aimed primarily at disrupting transport—blocking roads, railways, and airports. Supporters were encouraged to stay home to avoid spending, aiming to cripple both the state and commercial activities. Despite claims of widespread disruptions, a report from Le Figaro suggested that fears of a general strike were overblown, with roughly 95% of public employees still showing up for work.
Multiple highways experienced blockages, leading to accidents as police attempted to clear them. There were reports of intentional damage across the rail network, disrupting services between Toulouse and other points. Elsewhere, trucks faced blockage, affecting signaling equipment.
In cities like Paris, Montpellier, and Marseille, police confronted activists trying to take over stations. The situation at airports turned chaotic, with hundreds of flights either canceled or delayed.
A fire set by protestors obstructed streets in Paris on September 10, 2025, during the “Bloquons Tout” protest. This event coincided with the transfer of power between the new Prime Minister and his predecessor, who faced a significant confidence vote loss just days prior.
