France experienced widespread unrest as the "Block Everything" protests swept the nation on the very first day of Sébastien Lecornu's term as the new Prime Minister. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across major cities aiming to disrupt daily life in response to the government's austerity policies and proposed budget cuts.

Approximately 175,000 to 250,000 people joined protests nationwide, according to government and union estimates, with at least 473 arrests reported by authorities, including over 200 in Paris. Protesters blocked roads, railway stations, and schools, setting fires and clashing with riot police who responded with tear gas and water cannons. An estimated 80,000 police officers were deployed in an effort to maintain order.

In Paris, key transport hubs such as Châtelet-Les Halles metro station were closed, and violent confrontations erupted near Gare du Nord. Elsewhere, a bus was set ablaze in Rennes, and damages to electrical cables disrupted train services in the southwest. The movement, which began online in May and originated with right-wing groups, has since been adopted by leftist and anarchist factions as well as labor unions, creating a broad coalition unified against austerity and economic inequality.

Barricades and protest hotspots appeared in cities including Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, and Lyon, where police used tear gas to disperse crowds. Though the demonstrations did not achieve a full nationwide shutdown as intended, they significantly disrupted daily life while signaling widespread dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government and its fiscal austerity plans.

Prime Minister Lecornu, the fifth appointed by Macron in under two years and the fourth in the past year, faces a challenging start as the protests reflect deep-rooted public anger and social divisions. The "Block Everything" campaign sends a strong message that opposition to government policies remains vocal and active, with ongoing disruptions expected if demands go unmet.