Paris

France woke up to a paralyzing wave of anger on Wednesday as thousands took to the streets under the banner of the “Block Everything” protests, aimed squarely at President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership and his government’s austerity policies.

In chaotic early clashes, nearly 200 demonstrators were arrested across French cities, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed. Riot police fired tear gas in Nantes, Paris and Lyon, while protesters blocked highways, overturned trash bins, and hurled projectiles. Barricades of dumpsters smouldered on the outskirts of Paris as masked youths confronted security forces.

The protests come at a volatile moment: Macron’s surprise appointment of Sébastien Lecornu as France’s new prime minister, its fifth in less than two years has only deepened public resentment. Lecornu, a close Macron ally, is seen by critics as a continuation of the president’s embattled rule.

For many on the streets, his rise symbolized political arrogance. “It’s a slap in the face,” said Florent, a protester in Lyon, as he stood near burning barricades. “We are tired of his successive governments. We need real change.”

With 80,000 police officers deployed nationwide, the government is bracing for days of unrest. The loose coalition of left-wing groups behind the demonstrations has vowed to escalate until Macron rolls back austerity measures and listens to “the France of the streets.”

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As tear gas clouds drifted across city squares, one thing was clear: France’s anger is no longer simmering, it is on fire.