“Let’s block everything”: France shaken by political crisis, massive protests, and nearly 300 arrests
September 10, 2025 Hour: 9:50 pm
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Thousands of French people took to the streets this Wednesday to protest against the budget cuts planned for 2026, a reform that includes the reduction of social assistance, the freezing of benefits, and even the elimination of two public holidays.
The mobilization, dubbed “let’s block everything,” began as a spontaneous call on social media, although it was quickly taken up by left-wing organizations, with the visible support of La France Insoumise (LFI) and certain unions.
From early hours of the day, highway and ring road disruptions were reported in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Rennes, leading to clashes between protesters and security forces at several points.
The day coincides with the official debut of Sébastien Lecornu as the new acting prime minister, following François Bayrou’s fall in the National Assembly earlier this week.
The current defense minister thus faces his first major management test in a context of high social tension, just hours before the transfer of power scheduled for the Matignon Palace.
The “Bloquons tout” movement emerged this summer in response to the austerity policies planned by François Bayrou’s then government as part of the 2026 budget proposal.
Among the measures contemplated were the freezing of certain aid, cuts in social programs, and the elimination of two public holidays from the work calendar.
At first, the initiative was organized outside the traditional parties and major unions. However, as the weeks passed, progressive groups such as La France Insoumise (LFI) publicly supported the cause.
This profile of an independent, networked citizen movement is reminiscent of that of the “yellow vests,” which emerged seven years ago around the roundabouts of suburban France.
At that time, President Emmanuel Macron conceded to some of their demands and lifted the gasoline tax.
Unlike the “yellow vests,” whose composition was ideologically diverse, the “Block Everything” movement is characterized by a more homogeneous, markedly leftist profile and a base of young activists.
