France is once again facing political turmoil as the 'Block Everything' movement mobilises tens of thousands of protesters, disrupting railway hubs, universities, schools, and government offices.
The origins of the current movement lie in the recent initiatives of entrepreneur Julien Marissiaux, who came out with a radical program in May: popular control over foreign debt, economic restructuring, and the resignation of President Macron.
At the time, his project seemed utopian, but unexpectedly, left and radical left forces joined him. Former activists of the 'Yellow Vests', 'red' trade unions, 'Young Communists' and Jean-Luc Mélenchon's party 'France Unbowed' seized the initiative and made the movement their instrument.
The movement gained momentum on social media platforms such as TikTok, Telegram, and X, with more than 338,000 related tweets posted in August alone. A survey by Toluna-Harris Interactive indicated that 63% of French citizens support the movement.
Initially informal, the protests later received backing from various political and social groups and major trade unions such as CGT and Solidaires. Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for a general strike but clarified he was not managing the movement.
The Interior Ministry deployed 80,000 police and gendarmes nationwide on Wednesday, anticipating 100,000 participants, but authorities reported around 200,000 people attended, while the trade union claimed 250,000 participants.
Key demonstrations took place in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Nantes, and Strasbourg.
Protesters blocked 262 roads, held more than 550 actions nationwide, and in the southwest, disrupted railway operations by cutting power lines. Schools were affected, with lessons delayed or cancelled in 27 institutions.
'Block Everything' is likened to the 2018 Yellow Vests movement for its focus on social injustice and road blockades, but mainly involves left-leaning, politically experienced activists, with only 27% having joined the Yellow Vests, showing clear ideological differences.
Minval Politika has released a third set of footage it says shows former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo discussing the ...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top storie...
What is hantavirus? Three people have died and three are still ill on a Netherlands-based cruise ship after it was ...
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is supporting the response to a public health incident aboard a Net...
Samarkand is hosting the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where global leaders have gathered ...
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has outlined Yerevan’s expanding diplomatic agenda with the European Union and France during a visit to Paris, highlighting ongoing efforts to deepen regional connectivity and advance peace-related processes in the South Caucasus.
As the Iran war disrupts global flows of oil and gas and energy prices skyrocket, the Drin River, which descends through the mountains of northern Albania, is acting as a kind of shield.
MMilitary planners from more than 30 countries are holding two-day talks in London from Wednesday to advance plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Military planners from more than 30 countries will hold two-day talks in London from Wednesday to advance a mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and draw up detailed plans, the British government said
Ukraine is monitoring “unusual activity” along its border with Belarus, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video statement released on Saturday (2 May). He warned that Kyiv is ready to respond if necessary amid continued regional tensions linked to Russia’s war.
Hundreds of young people in South Korea have gathered in Seoul to take part in a city-backed “power nap contest”, aimed at drawing attention to the country’s chronic sleep deprivation.
China has moved to block U.S. sanctions on five of its oil refineries, in a fresh escalation of tensions over trade and energy policy.
Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is set to visit Armenia in early May to take part in the 8th European Political Community Summit, in what will be the highest-level Turkish visit to the country to date. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly expected to miss the forum.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will “soon be reviewing” a new 14-point proposal sent by Iran, casting doubt on the chances of a deal after Tehran called for security guarantees, an end to naval blockades and a halt to the war across the region, including in Lebanon.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
China has moved to block U.S. sanctions on five of its oil refineries, in a fresh escalation of tensions over trade and energy policy.
Germany has said a planned reduction of U.S. troops should push Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defence, as concerns grow in Washington over the impact of the move on regional security.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment