France is witnessing one of its largest protest movements in recent years, as millions of citizens took to the streets on September 10, 2025, blocking roads and clashing with security forces. The demonstrations erupted after President Emmanuel Macron appointed his close aide Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister, a move that sparked outrage across the nation.
Chaos in Paris and Beyond
In Paris and several other cities, protesters lit fires, blocked highways, and even attempted to disrupt tram tracks. Around Gare du Nord railway station, hundreds gathered, forcing police to fire tear gas shells to disperse crowds. Dustbins were set ablaze, and public transport came to a standstill in several areas.
French authorities responded by deploying 80,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide. Over 200 arrests have already been made.
The “Block Everything” Movement
The protests are being spearheaded by a leftist collective called the “Block Everything” movement, which has been mobilizing people through social media and encrypted messaging apps. Demonstrators accuse Macron of ignoring the will of the people and prioritizing the elite.
Former Prime Minister François Bayrou resigned after losing parliamentary support, and Macron’s appointment of Lecornu as his fourth prime minister in just one year has further fueled public anger.
Why France is Burning
At the heart of the unrest is deep frustration with Macron’s economic and social policies:
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📉 Proposed €44 billion budget cuts, branded as “economic reform,” hit the middle class hard.
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⏳ A plan to raise the retirement age in 2026 has drawn fierce opposition.
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🏥 Cuts in healthcare spending worth billions of euros.
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❌ Proposal to cancel two national holidays, seen as an attack on workers’ rights.
Many believe Macron’s policies disproportionately benefit the rich, while ordinary citizens are being forced to bear the burden of austerity.
A Movement With Momentum
Although less structured than the Yellow Vest protests of 2018, the new wave of demonstrations is rapidly gaining online traction. Two major unions, CGT and SUD, have pledged their support. In addition, a nationwide strike has been announced for September 18, signaling that the unrest is far from over.
As France braces for larger mobilizations, Macron faces one of the most significant challenges of his presidency, with public trust in the government slipping to dangerous lows.
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