France has been thrown into turmoil as Sébastien Lecornu assumes office as the country’s new prime minister, following the sudden resignation of François Bayrou. The appointment by President Emmanuel Macron has sparked widespread protests, road blockades, and violent clashes with police across major cities.

Bayrou’s government collapsed just days earlier after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament. At the heart of the crisis was his controversial €44 billion savings plan, which proposed freezing government spending and eliminating two public holidays. The measures were met with fierce opposition, forcing Bayrou to step down after just nine months in power.

Lecornu’s arrival has done little to calm public anger. Demonstrators, many mobilized through the “Block Everything”movement on social media, poured onto the streets of Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, and other cities. Protesters lit fires, blocked highways, and clashed with security forces.

The interior ministry deployed an extraordinary 80,000 police officers nationwide, leading to 295 arrests. Yet, the scale of unrest underscored deep frustration with what many see as an unresponsive political establishment.

Ordinary citizens voiced disillusionment. “What’s the point in voting?” asked a 29-year-old researcher, reflecting a growing sense of democratic fatigue. A kindergarten teacher described the savings plan as “a blow to the French state,” accusing the government of shielding the wealthy while burdening the poor.

Unions and civil groups argue that Lecornu’s leadership represents continuity rather than change, fueling anger that the political system ignores public concerns.

The unrest is set to intensify further. All of France’s major trade unions have called for a nationwide strike and mass demonstration on September 18, raising fears of prolonged instability and deeper political crisis.