France erupts in anti-Macron government protests, over 200 arrested

International Desk

France, a European country, has once again become embroiled in an ongoing political crisis. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in anger against various policies of President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The nationwide movement, called ‘Block Everything’, is protesting government spending cuts and budget cuts.

Protesters blocked traffic by erecting barricades on streets in cities including Paris. They set fire to garbage bins and clashed with police in several places. Authorities have deployed large numbers of police across the country to control the situation.

The French Interior Ministry said at least 200 people had been arrested across the country in the hours since the protests began, with 132 in Paris alone.

Police said security forces are working to quickly remove the barriers that have been set up. In some places, police have used tear gas to control the situation.

Political instability is playing a major role in the protests. Just two days ago, Prime Minister François Bayrou lost power in a no-confidence vote in the national parliament. President Macron named his close ally Sébastien Le Corneille as the new prime minister. However, the decision sparked a strong reaction among left-wing politicians.

As part of the protest, students set fire to various objects in front of a high school in Paris, setting barricades. The fire service later arrived and removed them.

In the western city of Nantes, protesters blocked a highway and set fire to tires and garbage bins. Police fired tear gas to disperse them as they tried to occupy a roundabout.