France Erupts in Nationwide Protests as New Prime Minister Takes Office

 Paris — Widespread unrest swept across France on Wednesday as demonstrators blocked roads, lit fires, and clashed with police forces, who responded with tear gas amid growing anger at the country’s political leadership.

According to the Interior Ministry, 473 people were arrested, while 80,000 police officers were deployed nationwide, including 6,000 in Paris. The Education Ministry reported disruptions at around 100 schools, with 27 completely shut down.

The unrest coincides with the arrival of France’s new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, who was appointed on Tuesday by President Emmanuel Macron. Lecornu, formerly the defense minister and a close Macron ally, replaces François Bayrou, ousted after losing a parliamentary confidence vote over his deficit-reduction plan. Critics say Lecornu’s appointment amounts to a baptism of fire on a day of national upheaval.

Escalating Anger
A Day of Flashpoints

The protests, planned months in advance, targeted Macron and the wider political class. Early Wednesday, activists staged disruptive actions across the country, closing key roads in Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, and Caen.

In Paris, a CNN team observed around 150 mostly young protesters outside Gare du Nord, chanting anti-police slogans. While the atmosphere was largely calm, police quickly intervened. Elsewhere, small groups briefly occupied public buildings.

Adèle Aubert, 27, said she joined the demonstrations to challenge the government:

“We try petitions, but no one listens to us. Protesting is the only way left to denounce this system.”

Another protester, Anna, a 29-year-old researcher, said she had lost faith in the government and electoral politics:

“What’s the point of voting? Successive governments under Macron have ignored us, and people are fed up.”

Both women noted the large turnout of young people and predicted that next week’s union-backed protests would be even bigger.

Throughout the day, clashes resembled a cat-and-mouse game between police and demonstrators. In Rennes, a bus was ransacked and set ablaze. In Paris, a restaurant in the city’s 1st arrondissement was also torched.

The “Block Everything” movement, originally launched online in May by right-wing groups, has since been embraced by left-wing and far-left activists. A broader national strike is already scheduled for September 18, with all major trade unions expected to participate.

Elodie, a 34-year-old kindergarten teacher, went on strike to join Wednesday’s protest:

“The 2026 budget is unacceptable. Politicians are using debt as an excuse to dismantle public services while sparing the wealthiest households and corporations. Once again, it’s the poorest who pay the price.”