French authorities arrested nearly 300 protesters on Wednesday as the "Block Everything" movement swept across the nation, targeting President Emmanuel Macron’s government and its austerity measures.
More than 80,000 security forces were deployed to counter demonstrations that blocked highways, set rubbish bins ablaze, and disrupted public transport.
The grassroots campaign, organized via social media without centralized leadership, reflects widespread anger over rising poverty and inequality, fueled by budget-tightening policies.
The protests intensified after former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a confidence vote on Monday, ousted over his austerity-driven budget plans.
Macron appointed close ally Sebastien Lecornu as France’s fifth premier in under two years, further stoking perceptions of governmental instability.
Demonstrators, drawing parallels to the 2018 Yellow Vest protests, expressed frustration with policies favoring economic reform over social welfare.
In Paris, police used tear gas to disperse youths blocking a high school entrance, while firefighters cleared barricades of burnt objects.
A bus was torched in Rennes, and a damaged power line in the southwest halted train services, though unrest remained less severe than past uprisings.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned of potential violence from ultra-left groups infiltrating rallies planned later in the day.
The "Block Everything" movement, initially sparked online in May and later dominated by left-wing groups, demands an end to austerity and elite-driven policies.
In Nantes, protesters blocked highways with burning tires, while in Montpellier, police faced thrown objects at a barricaded roundabout.
Highway operator Vinci reported disruptions in Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux, where authorities quickly cleared blockades to prevent a nationwide shutdown.
A Paris teacher protested budget cuts, calling for more funding for schools and hospitals, echoing broader demands for systemic change.
Unionist Amar Lagha stated, "This day is a message to all the workers of this country: that there is no resignation, the fight continues."
The protests highlight France’s struggle with ballooning debt and social unrest, with up to 100,000 participants expected, testing the nation’s stability.