Marseille and several other French cities descended into chaos on Wednesday as police clashed with protesters during a nationwide wave of anti-government demonstrations. The unrest, part of the “Block Everything” campaign, saw streets filled with smoke, barricades set ablaze, and tear gas deployed as anger over budget cuts and political instability spilled onto the streets.
The protests, which disrupted daily life across the country, came as a major challenge for President Emmanuel Macron’s government and marked a turbulent first day in office for new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Although the movement fell short of its stated goal of bringing France to a complete standstill, it still sparked widespread disruption and unrest in multiple regions.
In Marseille, police were deployed in large numbers to disperse crowds and dismantle barricades. Across the country, more than 80,000 officers were mobilized, breaking up roadblocks and arresting hundreds of demonstrators.
Despite the heavy police presence, flashpoints continued to flare. In Rennes, a bus was set on fire, while in the southwest, severed electrical cables caused major train delays and traffic gridlock.
By evening, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reported that nearly 200,000 people had taken to the streets nationwide, though the CGT union, one of France’s largest labor groups, estimated turnout at closer to 250,000.
The violent demonstrations underscore the rising political tensions in France, with critics warning that Macron’s government is facing an increasingly “insurrectional” climate. With unrest spreading from Paris to provincial cities like Marseille, the challenge of restoring stability now looms large for the French administration.
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