Mass Protests Erupt in France Following New Prime Minister's Appointment

Tue Oct 21 2025 12:42:50 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

France experiences significant nationwide protests, led by grassroots movement Bloquons Tout, coinciding with the swearing-in of new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, against proposed budget cuts and political dissatisfaction.

Protests erupted across France as the new Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, took office following the dismissal of François Bayrou. The grassroots movement "Bloquons Tout" orchestrated demonstrations, leading to blocked streets and clashes with police. The protests reflect widespread discontent towards the government amid proposed budget cuts and political instability. While thousands gathered in major cities, the unrest has been relatively contained with around 250 arrests reported by mid-morning. The movement calls for increased investment in public services, taxation for the wealthy, and a halt to austerity measures.

France is seeing a day of protests led by a grassroots movement named Bloquons Tout (Let's Block Everything) in a show of anger against the political class and proposed budget cuts.

The demonstrations are taking place on the same day new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was sworn in following the toppling of his predecessor, François Bayrou, in a no-confidence vote earlier this week.

Demonstrators blocked streets, set bins on fire, and disrupted access to infrastructure and schools across the country. Around 250 people had been arrested by mid-morning, according to outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.

A bus was torched in Rennes, and electric cables near Toulouse were sabotaged, he added.

Several thousand people gathered in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Montpellier. However, the disruption has remained fairly small-scale. Most of the arrests were made in or around Paris, where about 1,000 protesters - many masked or wearing balaclavas - clashed with police outside Gare du Nord train station.

Some tried to enter the station but were thwarted by agents who fired tear gas, French media report. Many protesters chanted political slogans against President Emmanuel Macron and Lecornu, with some carrying placards against the war in Gaza.

The nebulous movement Let's Block Everything appears to have been born on social media some months ago and gained momentum over the summer, encouraging protests against Bayrou's €44bn (£38bn) budget cuts.

The movement has a distinct left-wing character, demanding increased investment in public services, taxation for high income brackets, rent freezes, and Macron's resignation.

Leading up to Wednesday's protests, Let's Block Everything urged participation in acts of civil disobedience against austerity, contempt, and humiliation. A group of young protesters outside Gare du Nord voiced their solidarity with those in precarious situations throughout France.

In a brief speech following the handover of power at the prime minister's residence, Lecornu thanked Bayrou for his service and promised the French people, We'll get there. He emphasized the need for sobriety and humility amid the ongoing political crisis, signaling an intention to engage with opposition parties immediately.