Chaos erupted in Paris overnight as protesters flooded the streets, setting fires, blocking roads, and clashing with law enforcement as part of an anti-government demonstration.
The “Bloquons Tout” movement, which originated as an online grassroots campaign, has gained support from various political factions demanding President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation. Demonstrators are enraged by government austerity measures, such as budget cuts and pension reforms aiming to save €43.8 billion.
Tensions heightened following the removal of Prime Minister François Bayrou and the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu, marking the third leadership change in a year. Despite President Macron’s low 15% approval ratings, he appointed Lecornu as Prime Minister on September 9, dismissing calls for new elections, asserting, “To be free in this world, you have to be feared.”
To quell the unrest, the government deployed 80,000 officers nationwide, but protests have disrupted critical infrastructure and led to violent confrontations.
Moreover, Paris has witnessed troubling displays of anti-Muslim sentiment amidst the protests, with pigs’ heads found outside several mosques in the region, drawing widespread condemnation from French political figures.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau denounced the “outrageous” acts, emphasizing the importance of allowing Muslim citizens to practice their faith without disturbance.