French protests continue amid political turmoil following a prime minister’s fall, fueled by social inequality and distrust.
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Protests and acts of civil disobedience under the “Block Everything” campaign aim to disrupt operations in France on September 10th, coinciding with a planned change in government leadership. Former Prime Minister François Bayrou stated that while people have the power to overthrow a government, they cannot erase reality. Following his address, which included thanking his cabinet for an atmosphere of friendship and solidarity, there was a vote of confidence in the government; two-thirds of the National Assembly voted against it, leading to its fall. On September 9th evening, President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu, a former defense minister from the centrist Renaissance movement, as prime minister. Bayrou’s attempt to secure a minority government had shocked many, and both the far-right National Rally and the Socialist Party opposed him, making his cabinet’s fall inevitable. Despite this certainty, Bayrou presented himself as an unfairly lynched defender of uncomfortable truths, arguing that France must control its national debt through austerity measures like cutting public services and freezing social benefits. He claimed only his budget proposal could save the treasury, warning against dependence on debt financing for daily life expenses. His plan involved neoliberal policies such as reducing public services, abolishing two holidays, freezing social allowances, and increasing healthcare insurance costs. Critics argued that the wealthy should bear the burden, not ordinary workers. Bayrou’s downfall was met with celebrations across France. The “September 10th movement” calls for citizens to refuse work, stop purchasing goods, and participate in planned transport blockades and demonstrations. Activists view this political crisis as an opportunity for positive change, contrasting it with the previous Yellow Vest protests. This decentralized movement is primarily composed of educated, long-term leftist activists who feel unheard by the ruling elite, with 80% having voted for left-wing candidates in the 2022 presidential election and expressing strong concern over social inequality. While some express fear regarding physical safety during protests, the mobilization continues with further planned strikes on September 18th and October 11th, as public dissatisfaction is expected to grow following the appointment of another Macron-aligned prime minister.
