More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on Thursday. Energy, transport, and defence sectors are likely to be the most affected.
The protest, which began on social media, urges citizens to “block everything” on 10 September in opposition to Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s national budget plan. The movement has gained momentum with support from the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party and originated from a small online group called “Les Essentiels”, which stated:
“On 10 September, we stop everything, not to escape, but to say no.”
Meanwhile, French trade unions have called for a nationwide mobilisation on 18 September to protest Bayrou’s budget proposals.
Rising political tensions
France is experiencing mounting political tensions as Bayrou prepares for a crucial confidence vote in the National Assembly on 8 September. In July, he unveiled a 2026 budget framework aimed at saving nearly €44 billion ($51 billion) to reduce the country’s soaring public debt, which currently stands at 113% of GDP. France also faces one of the EU’s largest budget deficits at 5.8%.
Warning that the country is “on the brink of over-indebtedness,” Bayrou urged lawmakers to choose “responsibility over chaos.” Opposition parties across the spectrum, from the far-left LFI to the far-right National Rally (RN), as well as the Socialists, have vowed to vote against the government.
Budget negotiations have long been a source of political tension. Last year, the failure to agree on the 2025 budget led to the collapse of the Michel Barnier government in December, after left-wing and far-right parties joined forces behind a no-confidence motion.
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French naval forces opened fire on a swarm of unidentified drones that flew over one of the country’s most sensitive military installations, the Île Longue submarine base in western Brittany, officials confirmed on Friday.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has finalized the group stage for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the schedule and matchups for next summer’s expanded 48-team event.
Israel was cleared on Thursday to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, a decision made by the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which sparked a major controversy.
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border late on Friday, a reminder of how sensitive the frontier remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for its support of the claims by United Arab Emirates on three Iranian islands.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy that highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its ties with the European Union.
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hikmat Hajiyev, has highlighted Baku’s commitment to advancing long-term peace in the South Caucasus after taking part in a dedicated panel at the 23rd Doha Forum.
America's new National Security Strategy marks a sharp turn away from global policeman ambitions, revives a modern Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere and recasts China, Europe and long standing alliances through a bluntly transactional lens.
The European Union’s newly adopted Partnership Agenda with Armenia has prompted strong concern in Baku, where officials say several passages depart from factual accuracy and introduce political messages that could damage an already fragile negotiation environment.
China’s national security office in Hong Kong on Saturday cautioned foreign media against spreading “false information” or attempting to “smear” government efforts in responding to the city’s deadliest fire in nearly 80 years.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says that Hamas can only disarm once a credible Palestinian civil administration and a properly vetted, trained police force are in place.
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