France welcomes new prime minister with 'block everything' protests

"France got a new prime minister Wednesday, welcomed into office by some 175,000 "block everything" protesters across the country, who blocked roads and train stations and lit fires in demonstrations against budget cuts. At least 473 people were arrested, the Interior Ministry told reporters. The protests fell on the first day in office for French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the country's fifth in less than two years, although they were scheduled before the previous government collapsed and Lecornu's inauguration was set."

"While the protests, which gained momentum on social media and united disparate political groups, fell short of blocking everything, they caused widespread disruption. Starting early in the day, 80,000 police officers were mobilized, the national police said. At least 262 street fires were set, the Interior Ministry said, as demonstrators voiced a generalized sense of frustration and economic discontent including over the centrist French government's austerity measures."

"In naming Lecornu, French President Emmanuel Macron chose a close ally - a move protesters and critics see as a sign to expect more of the same. The previous prime minister, François Bayrou, submitted his resignation Tuesday, a day after Parliament voted to oust him, amid political turmoil that has only deepened since Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called snap elections in June 2024."

Mass demonstrations across France mobilized about 175,000 'block everything' protesters who blocked roads and train stations, set at least 262 street fires and caused widespread disruption. Authorities mobilized 80,000 police officers and arrested at least 473 people, the Interior Ministry reported. Demonstrators expressed frustration over economic conditions and centrist government's austerity budget cuts. Sébastien Lecornu assumed the office of prime minister on the first day of protests; he is the fifth prime minister in under two years. President Emmanuel Macron appointed a close ally amid a government left without a parliamentary majority following the dissolution of the National Assembly and snap elections.

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