Chaos broke out in Paris overnight as rioters took to the streets, setting fires, obstructing traffic, and clashing with law enforcement in an anti-government demonstration.
The “Bloquons Tout” movement, initially an online grassroots campaign, has garnered support from both far-left and far-right factions demanding the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron. Protesters are incensed over austerity measures, such as budget cuts and pension reforms aimed at saving €43.8 billion.
Tensions heightened following the removal of Prime Minister François Bayrou and the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu as his successor, marking the third leadership change in a year. Despite President Macron’s approval ratings plummeting to just 15%, he appointed Lecornu on September 9, dismissing calls for new elections and asserting, “To be respected in this world, you must inspire fear.”
To quell the turmoil, the government has deployed 80,000 officers nationwide, yet demonstrations have targeted vital infrastructure, leading to violent confrontations.
The protests in Paris have also witnessed troubling displays of anti-Muslim sentiment, including the discovery of nine pigs’ heads outside various mosques in the region, drawing widespread condemnation from French political figures.
Addressing these incidents, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau denounced the “unacceptable” actions, emphasizing the importance of allowing Muslim citizens to practice their faith without disturbance.
The scenes during the protests included demonstrators setting up fires, using barriers to block roads, and clashing with law enforcement officials. Additionally, there were instances of protesters obstructing traffic and displaying placards expressing discontent with President Macron and businessman Bernard Arnault.