Following President Macron's government collapse and failed austerity proposals, large-scale "Block Everything" protests erupted in France on September 10, 2025, demanding the reinstatement of a wealth tax and an end to business-friendly tax policies.
The unrest reflects broad public anger over wealth inequality, echoing the earlier Yellow Vest movement.
Macron's tax policies and public reaction
Abolished the wealth tax: Since his 2017 election, Macron has prioritized making France more attractive to businesses and the wealthy. He replaced the prior wealth tax with a narrower tax on real estate and lowered taxes on corporations and capital gains, which earned him the nickname "president of the rich".
Disappointing economic results: Critics note that these tax cuts have not delivered the promised investment boom or significant economic growth. Instead, France's debt has ballooned, and economic inequality has widened.
Failed austerity measures: The recent crisis was triggered by former Prime Minister François Bayrou's proposed €44 billion in spending cuts, which were widely unpopular and led to a no-confidence vote that toppled his government.
Symbolic injustice: Protesters view the austerity measures as especially unfair in light of the tax breaks for the wealthy. The public perceives a glaring contrast between the sacrifices asked of ordinary citizens and the protections given to billionaires.
Protests and demands
"Block Everything" movement: The recent protests were organized on social media by the decentralized "Bloquons Tout" (Block Everything) movement and gained support from far-left groups and unions. Demands include higher pay, better public services, and taxing the richest corporations.
Youth involvement: The protests have seen significant turnout from young people, including the disruption of high schools.
Proposed ultra-rich tax: Earlier in 2025, a proposal for a 2% tax on fortunes exceeding €100 million was passed by the lower house but blocked by Macron's allies in the Senate. An independent study suggested the tax would cause minimal "tax exile".
Implications and challenges for the new government
New prime minister, old anger: President Macron quickly appointed a close ally, Sébastien Lecornu, as the new prime minister, just as the protests were beginning. Lecornu now faces immediate pressure to navigate the fiscal crisis while confronting public anger and the potential for prolonged social unrest.
Political gridlock: Lecornu will likely need to make concessions to opposition parties, including the Socialists, to pass a budget. The Socialists are pushing for a 2% tax on fortunes over €100 million. This puts Macron in a difficult position, as such a measure would undermine his pro-business legacy.
Fueling extremism: Critics argue that Macron's resistance to taxing the wealthy, even symbolically, risks strengthening the far right, which has been polling strongly.
“Thousands of people staged demonstrations across France on Wednesday, disrupting traffic and public transportation for a day of nationwide action under the banner "Block Everything." Authorities responded by deploying 80,000 police, who detained more than 300 protesters. Demonstrations were mostly peaceful, but some protesters clashed with police in Paris and in Rennes, a city in Western France, where a bus was set on fire.
What are French people protesting against?
Protesters are angry about a proposal to make 44 billion euros, equivalent to $51 billion, in public-spending cuts, including the elimination of two public holidays. The man behind that proposal, centrist Francois Bayrou, was ousted as prime minister on Monday in a parliamentary no-confidence vote. His resignation has done little to mollify protesters, who blocked roads, roundabouts and tram lines on Wednesday.
Who is behind the "Block Everything" movement?
The movement sprung up online over the summer and is now largely drawing support from far-left groups. Its internet roots are reminiscent of the so-called yellow-vest protesters, a grassroots movement born on social media that washed over France in 2018 and 2019, bringing the government to its knees. The "Block Everything" protests on Wednesday have raised fears that this could signal the start of a new period of prolonged social unrest in the country. Some unions, along with the far-left party France Unbowed, also took part in protests on Wednesday.
Why has French debt hit a record?
Since President Emmanuel Macron was first elected in 2017, he has abolished the wealth and housing taxes, lowered corporate levies and introduced a flat tax on capital gains. He hoped those measures would spur economic growth, which would in turn generate additional revenue for the government and compensate for the tax cuts.
But back-to-back crises in recent years sapped economic growth. Macron spent billions to placate yellow-vest protesters in 2019, soften the blow of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and fund energy subsidies after the EU refused to buy most of cheap Russia's energy, trying to influence events in Ukraine in 2022. France's public debt went to 3.3 trillion euros this year from 2.2 trillion euros before Macron was elected. France's deficit reached 5.8% of domestic output last year.
After the collapse of the government this week, who is in charge?
Macron on Tuesday appointed one of his closest allies, Sebastien Lecornu, as the country's new prime minister just hours after Bayrou submitted his resignation. Lecornu, 39, served until Tuesday as France's defense minister. He was a member of the conservative party Les Republicains before joining Macron in 2017, when the French leader started his own centrist party. Lecornu is now tasked with forming a new government in the coming days. Socialist leaders, who were hoping to see the new government tilt left, have ruled out joining Lecornu's cabinet.
What is next for the new French government?
Lecornu's first job will be to pass a budget through Parliament before the end of the year. His best chance hinges now on securing at least tacit support from the Socialists. The National Assembly, France's lower house of Parliament, is broadly divided into three blocs. On the left is a group of parties that includes the far-left France Unbowed and the Socialists. The center consists of Macron's coalition and a group of conservative lawmakers. On the far right is Marine Le Pen's National Rally. Both the far-left and the far-right have said they won't support the new government.
To secure a budget majority, Lecornu's government will face tight negotiations with the Socialists, who are expected to demand significant concessions. These could include reinstating a levy on the ultrawealthy and rolling back some of Macron's tax breaks. The time for negotiation is short. Lecornu's government must present a draft budget to Parliament by Oct. 13.” [1]
1. World News: 'Block Everything' Protests Hit France. Bisserbe, Noemie. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 11 Sep 2025: A16.
Komentarų nėra:
Rašyti komentarą