France (The COW News Digital)France has been rocked by massive protests as nearly 200,000 demonstrators took to the streets to oppose sweeping budget cuts, setting fires, blocking roads, and demanding the immediate resignation of President Emmanuel Macron. The protests, among the largest in recent months, underscore the growing public anger over the government’s austerity measures and its handling of the country’s deepening financial crisis.
Demonstrations were reported across major cities, with protesters burning trash bins, blocking highways, and setting public property on fire. In the western city of Rennes, a bus was torched, while in Paris, part of a building was set ablaze during the unrest. Protesters also damaged power lines in the southwest, disrupting train services for several hours.
Chanting slogans calling for policy change rather than just a change of leadership, demonstrators accused the government of ignoring the plight of ordinary citizens. “We don’t just want new faces — we want a new direction,” one protester said, holding a banner condemning cuts to welfare spending.
Police deployed tear gas, water cannons, and baton charges to disperse crowds in several locations. Clashes broke out between riot police and demonstrators in multiple cities, resulting in dozens of injuries. The French Interior Ministry confirmed that nearly 500 people had been arrested nationwide.
The protests follow the political turmoil earlier this week when Prime Minister François Bayrou failed to secure a vote of confidence in parliament, plunging the government into further crisis. Bayrou, who took office in December 2024, has faced mounting criticism for cutting social benefits, ending public holidays, and failing to resolve the ongoing economic crisis.
Analysts say the protests reflect widespread discontent with Macron’s administration, which is under pressure to restore stability while balancing the budget. Economic experts warn that continued austerity without addressing social inequality could fuel even larger demonstrations in the coming weeks.
Union leaders have called for another round of protests next weekend, signaling that the unrest is far from over. International observers are closely monitoring the situation as France’s economic and political instability threatens to impact the broader European Union.
The government has yet to announce whether it will reconsider its budget proposals or offer concessions to the protest movement. For now, the streets remain tense, with security forces bracing for more demonstrations.
