200,000 protesters take to streets in 'Block Everything' protest as France's new PM faces first test

French police arrested 473 people on Wednesday as "Block Everything" (“Bloquons tout”) protesters attempted to paralyse transport and daily life across France, two days after Prime Minister François Bayrou's government collapsed over unpopular austerity measures.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, 200,000 participants were recorded by late afternoon across France. However, the country's largest labour union, CGT, claimed more than 250,000 participated.

By 6 pm on Wednesday evening, 812 actions had been recorded, including 550 gatherings and 262 blockades. Thirteen members of the security forces were reportedly slightly injured.

Authorities deployed 80,000 police officers and gendarmes as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Paris and other cities across France.

The leaderless nature of the protests meant that different groups of demonstrators organised various actions across the capital, but were quickly dispersed by police.

Some lit fires, built barricades and tried to block Paris' ring road, Europe's busiest urban motorway.

Early in the morning, protesters set rubbish bins ablaze and attempted to obstruct tram tracks around the Porte de Montreuil in eastern Paris, before police dismantled the obstacles and dispersed crowds.

Demonstrators also burst onto the highway in attempts to block traffic, but were likewise stopped by law enforcement.

After a meeting of the inter-ministerial crisis unit, outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called Wednesday's actions a "defeat for those who wanted to bring the country to a standstill."

Tensions escalated around Paris' Gare du Nord, one of Europe's busiest train stations. Police closed the access to the train station earlier on Wednesday as protesters tried to force entry.

Law enforcement deployed teargas on the demonstrators, while some travellers were caught in the chaos.

The largest protests were recorded around Place du Chatelet and Place des Fêtes and were relatively calm. But anger remained palpable throughout the day.

Multiple protesters told Euronews they were angry at the French President Emmanuel Macron for picking his former defence minister and long-time ally, Sébastien Lecornu, as the Prime Minister a day before.

"It's like giving us the middle finger," said Pierrick, a middle school teacher. Like many others at the protest, he was hoping Macron would have extended a hand to the left.

The left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP) won the most seats last summer after Macron called for snap elections, but did not secure enough to have an absolute majority in parliament.

'Sick of it all'

"I am protesting today because we are sick of it all," Marie, a student and actress, told Euronews.

"Today, we are here to show Macron that we’re done with all of this. He can't just keep ignoring us and what the people want," she explained, adding she was also protesting against the cuts that will affect the culture sector.

Meanwhile, an unnamed driver who took it upon himself to clear the bikes and trash cans barricading the road told Euronews he was supportive of the demonstrations.

"I do understand their anger. Something needs to be done," he said.

Other bystanders were more cautious, if not critical of the scenes unfolding on Wednesday.

"I agree that we should have the right to protest. The current situation just can't continue," Nesrine, a project manager who lives in the Montreuil area, told Euronews.

"But I don't think we should vandalise or break stuff. Because who pays? It's us taxpayers. I understand the anger, but it's not like we can change things."

What is 'Block Everything'?

The leaderless movement gained momentum from anger over inflation, austerity measures and what supporters call a dysfunctional political class.

Unlike the structured 2018 Yellow Vests protests, "Block Everything" emerged this summer with less organisation but significant online support.

An Ipsos poll showed 46% of French people support the movement, including many on the left but also more than half of far-right National Rally voters.

Two major unions, CGT and SUD, backed Wednesday's actions while broader strikes are planned for 18 September.

Eric Challal, representative of SUD Rail-Paris, one of the two unions that have joined the protest on Wednesday, said the organisation came to show its dissatisfaction that has been accumulating for months.

"What's being expressed today is what we've been feeling all summer, fed up and angry since the Bayrou budget plan was announced, asking us to work more," Challal told Euronews.

"We're fed up with paying, we're working hard, we're barely managing to keep our heads above water and to think that the hole in the deficit would be our fault is unbearable to hear."

Bayrou's former government had proposed slashing two bank holidays to reduce France's public deficit, among measures that sparked widespread anger.

"It's time for Macron and politicians to understand we are serious," university student Thomas told Euronews before the protests on Wednesday.

"We're angry with the political system and the fact that the ultra-rich and corporations are not paying enough taxes."