Large-scale protests have begun in France against the policies of the government and President Emmanuel Macron. This is reported by foreign media.
The organization of the protests has been discussed on social media, starting with the government's publication of a draft budget for 2026 with austerity measures, including cuts in social benefits, holidays and the rejection of pension indexation.
The rallies are held under the slogan "We will block everything," including the operation of infrastructure facilities. The protesters are most active in Rennes, Nantes, Lyon and Toulouse. Intercity train traffic is blocked in southwestern France near Toulouse due to the burning of power cables and the failure of the semaphore system. From the point of view of the French Interior Ministry, up to 100 thousand people can take part in actions across the country.
The anti-government protests are taking place against the backdrop of the political crisis in France. On September 9, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou resigned, who had been voted out by MPs the day before because of a plan to reduce the budget deficit by 44 billion euros by cutting social spending. Emmanuel Macron has appointed a new head of government, Defense Minister Sebastian Lecorn. According to an Elabe opinion poll, 17% of the country's residents approve of the president's activities, the lowest figure since he took office in 2017.
On September 18, French trade unions intend to hold strikes of employees of public transport, railways, airports, and civil servants in protest against austerity measures.
