Nearly 300 people were arrested in France on Wednesday as “Block Everything” demonstrations disrupted transport and public services in cities across the country, authorities said. The unrest coincided with the inauguration of Sébastien Lecornu, the country’s fifth prime minister in under two years.
At the official handover ceremony in Paris, Lecornu, 39, promised a “profound break” in substance “and not just in form” as he took office from outgoing prime minister François Bayrou.
“There is a gap between real life and the political situation,” he said, adding that his government “will succeed” because “nothing is impossible”.
Bayrou, who resigned after losing a confidence vote in parliament, told the ceremony his team would “do everything to help the new government” as he left office.
Protests overshadow ceremony
Clashes broke out in several cities as police moved in to clear road blockades and sites occupied by demonstrators.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said 80,000 police and gendarmes had been deployed nationwide, including 6,000 in Paris, with orders of zero tolerance.
In the early hours, Retailleau told reporters that nearly 200 people had been detained. By mid-afternoon, the Interior Ministry reported nearly 300 arrests nationwide, including 183 in the Paris region.
Authorities said 430 protest actions had been recorded across France, ranging from roadblocks and demonstrations to attempts to occupy schools and transport hubs.
Later in the day, Paris police ordered the closure of the Châtelet-Les Halles complex after calls for looting circulated on social media. Metro and RER services there were suspended.
Thousands of protesters gathered at Place du Châtelet and Place de la République, joined by far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon and several of his deputies.
School blockades
Other blockades were carried out at several secondary schools, including Henri-IV and Lavoisier in the 5th arrondissement, Lamartine in the 9th, Voltaire in the 11th, Claude-Monet in the 13th and Hélène-Boucher in the 20th.
Around a hundred young people, some wearing hoods, gathered in front of Lavoisier with placards reading “We are blocking because we care about our mental health” and “To fill their coffers, Bayrou is picking our pockets”.
“We’re fed up because we feel like we’re the sacrificed generation,” Yonah, 17, a final-year student, told the French news agency AFP.
Bus depots and parts of the ring road were briefly occupied before being cleared by police using tear gas. An attempted intrusion at Gare du Nord was also stopped by police.
The RATP said metro and bus traffic was running nearly normally, though regional trains and RER services were heavily disrupted.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said forces “will not tolerate any damage or blockades” and “will intervene systematically”.
Protesters accused Lecornu of being too close to President Emmanuel Macron and of planning to continue what they called the same austerity policies of previous governments.
“Block Everything” actions were organised via social media and included strikes, roadblocks and boycotts.
“This is a citizens’ initiative,” CGT secretary general Sophie Binet told RFI. She explained that union-led protests planned for 18 September would add to Wednesday’s mobilisation.
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Elsewhere in France
In Lyon, Montpellier and Nantes, police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds. At Nantes prefecture, projectiles were thrown at officers.
In Marseille, thousands marched, with turnout estimates ranging from 8,000 by police to 30,000 by organisers and 80,000 claimed by the CGT. Police reported minor damage and used tear gas after a group tried to enter a shopping centre. A handful of arrests were also reported.
SNCF reported track occupations in Cherbourg and Valence Ville, along with overnight cable damage in the Bordeaux–Toulouse area that caused disruption before repairs were made.
Authorities also reported roadblocks around Rennes, Nantes, Poitiers, Aix-en-Provence and Toulouse.
Opposition support
Mélenchon, leader of the far-left party La France Insoumise, urged supporters to take part. “On the 10th, we will block everything to bring down Mr Macron himself, because he is responsible for the crisis,” he said.
Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure called for restraint, warning the movement risked sliding into chaos. On the right, National Rally spokesman Gaëtan Dussausaye said the protests had been “hijacked by the far left”.
Martin Garagnon, a national adviser for Macron’s Renaissance party, also voiced concern, saying: “Jean-Luc Mélenchon wants the convergence of struggles. The French will get the convergence of destruction.”
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Budget woes
Lecornu, a close ally of Macron who has served as defence minister since 2022, must now steer a national budget through a divided parliament. France has until 31 December to adopt its 2026 budget.
His team has promised “a change of method” in politics, though details have not been given.
But the balance of power in the National Assembly remains unchanged. Macron’s party lacks a majority, leaving Lecornu reliant on opposition support to pass legislation.
Socialist deputy Hervé Saulignac said Macron was sticking to “a path that no socialist will join”. Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally, wrote on X that Macron’s choice showed he was unwilling to change course, adding that his party would judge Lecornu “on results”.
Mathilde Panot, parliamentary leader of La France Insoumise, called the appointment “a provocation” and vowed: “We will censure him.”
'Discreet' new PM
Lecornu has held ministerial posts since 2017, including at the environment ministry, local government and overseas territories before becoming defence minister. He is viewed as loyal to Macron and not a political rival.
“He is discreet, loyal and measured. He will do things differently and has already started his consultations,” said a member of his team, quoted by FranceInfo.
