Paris: Massive protests erupted in France on Wednesday. Protesters reportedly blocked roads, set blazes and attacked police personnel in Paris and other parts of the European country. The protests are part of the "Block Everything" movement, which started online, against President Emmanuel Macron's leadership.
The protests erupted two days after French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a vote of confidence in Parliament. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister of the country. As per the interior ministry, nearly 200 protesters were arrested in the first hours of the planned day of nationwide protests. Several videos of arson and violence surfaced online.
The unrest coincided with the swearing-in of Lecornu, the country's fifth in less than two years. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said a bus was set on fire in the western city of Rennes, reported The Associated Press. Protesters in Lyon and Nantes blocked a highway and set tyres bins on fire. Police fired tear gas shells to disrupt the protesters.
A damage to a power line reportedly blocked trains on a line in the southwest.
According to reports, protesters also tried to block Paris’ beltway on Wednesday morning, by erecting barricades. They also hurled objects at police. As per France 24, the traffic on the Peripherique ring road around the capital was "virtually unaffected" by the "Block Everything" call.
Protesters Attacking Police Personnel:
Around 80,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. The movement was initially started in May this year by right-wing group on social media through encrypted chats. However, it was later taken over by left-wing groups, reported Reuters.
Macron's decision to name Lecornu comes ahead of a day of "Everything Block" protests.
