France’s ‘Block Everything’ Protests Erupt Nationwide on September 10, 2025

France’s “Block Everything” Protests Shake the Nation — September 10, 2025

On September 10, 2025, France was shaken by massive nationwide protests under the slogan “Block Everything” (“Bloquons Tout”), reflecting citizens’ deep frustration with economic hardship and political instability. The unrest began after a no-confidence vote forced Prime Minister François Bayrou to resign over controversial austerity measures, leading President Emmanuel Macron to appoint Sébastien Lecornu, his defense minister and close ally, as the new Prime Minister—the fifth in less than two years. The decision sparked outrage across the country as protesters blocked roads, burned tires, disrupted commuter routes, and paralyzed train services. Demonstrations erupted in Paris, Nantes, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Toulouse, and Rennes, drawing tens of thousands of participants. Police deployed nearly 80,000 officers nationwide, including 6,000 in Paris alone, leading to about 300 arrests across the country and 132 in the capital. In Rennes, a bus was set on fire, while in the southwest, train lines were brought to a halt after power cables were sabotaged. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau strongly condemned the violence, warning that extremist groups had infiltrated the movement, and vowed a policy of “zero tolerance.” Protesters, however, argued that the real problem was President Macron’s leadership itself, with many comparing the unrest to the 2018 Yellow Vest movement. The growing discontent reveals not only anger over austerity but also a deeper crisis of trust in France’s political system. With left-wing parties threatening another no-confidence challenge, new Prime Minister Lecornu faces an uphill battle to stabilize the government while Macron struggles to regain public confidence. The “Block Everything” protests are more than isolated acts of defiance—they symbolize a wider sense of betrayal among French citizens and could determine the future direction of Macron’s presidency in the weeks ahead.