Block Everything' protests and pigs' heads roil France as Macron installs new PM

"French authorities say they're bracing for possible acts of sabotage and other violence when tens of thousands of protesters are expected to respond to online calls to disrupt the country on Wednesday, potentially compounding France's latest political crisis triggered by the government's collapse. The Bloquons Tout (Block Everything) movement gathered steam on social media and in encrypted chats over the summer, before Francois Bayrou's ouster as prime minister in a parliamentary confidence vote on Monday."

"Its called-for day of blockades, strikes, demonstrations and other acts of protest on Wednesday is now falling as President Emmanuel Macron one of the movement's targets is installing a fourth prime minister in 12 months. Sebastien Lecornu, the outgoing defense minister, was named as Macron's latest new prime minister on Tuesday evening. A leaflet pinned on a window reads September 10, answer the national call and join the general strike in Paris, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the eve of a national protest. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)"

"Although ostensibly unrelated to the planned protests, the discovery of severed pigs' heads five of them written with Macron's name near nine Paris-area mosques on Tuesday added to unease, bearing possible hallmarks of previous suspected Russian-linked acts of attempted destabilization that have targeted France and other allies of Ukraine. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said that although investigations are still underway, we cannot help but draw links with previous acts that happened, often at night, and which later proved to be acts of foreign interference."

French authorities are preparing for possible sabotage and widespread violence as tens of thousands are expected to respond to online calls for nationwide disruption. The Bloquons Tout (Block Everything) movement mobilized on social media and encrypted chats, calling for blockades, strikes and demonstrations. The planned disruptions coincide with President Emmanuel Macron installing a fourth prime minister in a year, with Sebastien Lecornu named to the post. The discovery of severed pigs' heads near Paris-area mosques, some marked with Macron's name, raised concerns about destabilization and prompted police to note parallels with prior suspected Russian-linked interference.

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