FRANCE has plunged into street chaos with police battling raging protesters as President Emmanuel Macron’s government hangs by a thread.
At least 50 arrests have made in Paris alone amid the “Block Everything” campaign, which is aiming to disrupt transport links across the country.
AFPThe campaign is trying to paralyse the country by setting up roadblocks[/caption]
ReutersTyres burn in a car blockade during the demonstrations in Nantes[/caption]
AFPAnother burning road blockade in Rennes, western France, on September 10[/caption]
AFPProtesters burn objects to block a road in Caen, north-western France[/caption]
Brazen campaigners attempted to disrupt roads and rail hubs including the Eurostar at Gare du Nord on Wednesday morning.
Shocking footage showed balaclava-clad demonstrators setting up barricades to block road intersections in cities including Bordeaux and Marseille.
Meanwhile in the capital, outraged protesters launched rubbish bins and flares at police officers.
A police spokesperson in Paris said: “Most of those taken into custody were threatening public order.
“Many more are expected to gather as the day progresses.”
The insurrection came less than 24 hours after Macron appointed his seventh prime minister in less than nine years.
Sebastien Lecornu has pledged to do a better job than his immediate predecessor, Francois Bayrou – who was sensationally forced out in a confidence motion on Monday.
Bayrou was ousted after he tried to slash some £35billion from public spending in an unpopular austerity measure in an attempt to combat skyrocketing national debt.
Some 80,000 police and gendarmes have been deployed across France to deal with the spiralling “Block Everything” campaign.
The protest movement was formed on social media and is supported by the largest trade union in the country, the Confederation of General Workers (CGT).
They are also trying to blockade fuel depots, slow down cars and demonstrate in city and town centres.
Some online posts have even encouraged people to loot supermarkets as part of the protests.
The astonishing scenes have drawn comparison to the inafmous Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) movement, which previously forced Macron into several policy changes.
A major railway union called Sud-Raid said on X: “The fall of the government is good, but it’s insufficient.”
AFPProtesters are setting up road blocks across France[/caption]
AFPFirefighters tackle flames in Brest[/caption]
AFPFrance has descended into street chaos amid anti-government protests[/caption]
The current two-day labour blockade is expected to affect domestic and international travel around across the country.
It also takes place at the same time as the London Underground strike – exacerbating the challenge for Brits trying to get to Paris and vice versa.
Eurostar said to its commuters: “If you have a connecting journey, please check for travel updates ahead of your trip.
“You may need to allow extra time for your journey.”
There have also been calls for further strikes and stoppages on September 18 including air traffic controllers.
EPAThe blockades come as France descends into political chaos[/caption]
GettyLime bikes set alight in Le Pre Saint-Gervais, France on September 10[/caption]
APProtesters block a street during the ‘Bloquons Tout’ or ‘Block Everything’ protests[/caption]
The Palace said the president wants his new prime minister to hold talks with all parliamentary opponents to find compromises on the budget.
It added that other policies would also need to be agreed on before naming the new cabinet.
French Prime Ministers get appointed by the President and then are tasked with forming a government.
Macron could call another snap parliamentary election, but many observers believe this is unlikely.
It comes as extremist parties continue to put pressure on France‘s political establishment.
Far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen said on Sunday: “This crisis was provoked and fuelled by Macron and all those who have served him.
“Today, because of them, France is the sick man of Europe.”
AFPProtesters set up a roadblock using rubbish bins they set alight during the ‘Block Everything’ campaign in Paris[/caption]
ReutersAt least 50 arrests have been made in Paris[/caption]
ReutersFrench firefighters remove burnt objects from a street barricade[/caption]
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