Sébastien Lecornu was sworn in as France’s new prime minister while protests tied to the "Block Everything" movement spread across the country, creating an immediate test for the incoming government. RFI reported that nearly 300 people were arrested as roadblocks, transport disruption and clashes with police broke out in several cities.
The handover came after François Bayrou resigned following a confidence vote loss, making Lecornu the country’s fifth prime minister in under two years. At the official ceremony in Paris, Lecornu promised a "profound break" in substance as well as form and said there was a gap between real life and politics. He is one of President Emmanuel Macron’s closest allies and had most recently served as defence minister.
The protests were not a small-scale disturbance. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said 80,000 police and gendarmes were deployed nationwide, including 6,000 in Paris, under orders of zero tolerance. By mid-afternoon, the Interior Ministry had reported nearly 300 arrests, including 183 in the Paris region. Authorities also said 430 protest actions had been recorded across France, ranging from roadblocks and demonstrations to attempts to occupy schools and transport hubs.
RFI said the unrest affected transport and public services in multiple cities. In Paris, police ordered the closure of the Châtelet-Les Halles complex after looting calls circulated online, and metro and RER services there were suspended. Elsewhere, bus depots and parts of the ring road were briefly occupied before police cleared them with tear gas. An attempted intrusion at Gare du Nord was also stopped.
The movement had a broad and improvised character. RFI described it as a citizens’ initiative organised through social media and involving strikes, roadblocks and boycotts. Thousands gathered at Place du Châtelet and Place de la République, and the article noted the presence of far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon and several deputies. It also reported school blockades at several institutions, including Henri-IV and Lavoisier in the 5th arrondissement.
Outside Paris, police used tear gas and water cannon in Lyon, Montpellier and Nantes. In Marseille, turnout estimates varied widely, with police putting the number at 8,000, organisers at 30,000 and the CGT claiming 80,000. Authorities reported minor damage there and used tear gas after a group tried to enter a shopping centre.
The protests were aimed at Bayrou’s austerity agenda and continued after his departure. Demonstrators accused Lecornu of being too close to Macron and of planning to carry on the same budgetary direction. That makes the political challenge structural rather than ceremonial: Lecornu must now steer a national budget through a divided parliament, and France has until 31 December to adopt its 2026 budget.
That parliamentary arithmetic remains difficult. Macron’s party lacks a majority, so Lecornu will need support from opponents if he is to pass legislation. The article notes that opposition figures were already signaling resistance, with Jordan Bardella saying the National Rally would judge Lecornu on results and Mathilde Panot calling the appointment a provocation.
The event date captures a government birth under pressure. Lecornu entered office with a promise of change, but the day was defined by the depth of public anger, the scale of the police deployment and the immediate disruption across France. The first question for the new prime minister is whether he can turn a political reset into a workable majority before the budget deadline closes in.
