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Echoing Yellow Vest uprising, 'Block Everything' protests rock France

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 11 September 2025 3:08 PM

France is rocked by a nationwide wave of anti-government protests, with tens of thousands of demonstrators having taken to the streets to voice their anger over President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular economic policies and political instability.

The "Block Everything" movement, which disrupted highways, public transport, and daily life, has revived memories of the 2018 Yellow Vest protests, underscoring ongoing public frustration with Macron's administration.

Authorities reported nearly 200,000 protesters nationwide by Wednesday evening, with union estimates closer to 250,000.

Protesters set barricades and vehicles ablaze, including a bus torched in Rennes, while severed electric cables caused widespread disruption to train services in the southwest.

Police responded with tear gas and made hundreds of arrests, as violent clashes broke out across the country.

The unrest follows the recent resignation of Prime Minister François Bayrou after losing a confidence vote tied to his controversial €44 billion deficit-reduction plan.

Bayrou's plan, which included freezing welfare spending and scrapping two public holidays, faced strong opposition in parliament and among the public, reflecting widespread discontent with austerity measures.

In response, President Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu, his 39-year-old defense minister and close ally, as the new prime minister—the sixth since Macron took office in 2017.

Despite a massive police presence of 80,000 officers deployed to control protests, the scale and intensity of the demonstrations highlight the government's increasing disconnect from its citizens.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau framed the day as "a defeat for those who wanted to block the country," but the reality paints a different picture: hundreds of protest actions and widespread disruption indicate a movement that has not been quelled.

The "Block Everything" protests are widely seen as a resurgence of the Yellow Vest movement, which began in 2018 over fuel tax hikes and evolved into a broader rejection of Macron's economic policies and political elite.

Like the Yellow Vests, these protests are decentralized and grassroots-driven, reflecting deep anger at a government perceived to prioritize market interests over the needs of ordinary people.

Political analysts note the protests initially drew right-wing groups but have since been taken over by left and far-left factions, united in their claim that France's political system is broken.

The far-left party France Unbowed has vowed to submit a no-confidence motion against Lecornu's government, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen mocked the new appointment as "the final shot of Macronism," signaling her party's readiness to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction.

France's budget deficit now stands at nearly €169 billion—5.8% of GDP—far above the European Union's 3% limit, raising investor concerns about the country's economic health.

Macron's government insists on continuing pro-business reforms despite parliamentary opposition and public outrage, deepening political gridlock.

Wednesday's protests marked a critical moment in France's ongoing crisis, with the new prime minister's first day overshadowed by unrest and widespread calls for change.

As Macron's government struggles to maintain control, the "Block Everything" movement reveals a country still deeply divided and a leadership increasingly out of touch with the frustrations of its people.

The echoes of the Yellow Vests grow louder, warning that unless the government listens and responds, unrest may become the new norm in French politics.