On the 10th, large-scale demonstrations dubbed "Block France" took place in several French cities, protesting the draft budget proposed by former Prime Minister Bayrou, which aims to cut fiscal expenditures. Some areas saw violent incidents, and hundreds of people were arrested.
According to statistics from the French Ministry of the Interior, more than 170,000 people participated in protests across France that day. The French General Confederation of Labour announced that 250,000 people took part.
The Interior Ministry released video footage on its official website showing police clearing protester-set roadblocks on the Rennes ring road, emphasizing a "zero tolerance" policy toward violence.
The Ministry stated that about 80,000 police and gendarmes maintained public order throughout the day, with 473 people arrested nationwide—including 203 in the capital, Paris. Thirteen police officers were injured while on duty. A restaurant and a building in central Paris were burned down during the protests.
The French Ministry of Education announced that approximately 100 high schools across the country suspended classes that day, and another 27 schools were blocked by protesters.
Due to the protests, rail traffic was temporarily suspended in many regions of France. Only a few galleries at Paris's Louvre Museum remained open, while the Musée d'Orsay was closed.
According to French media, newly appointed Prime Minister Lecornu went to the interdepartmental crisis management office at the Interior Ministry that evening to assess the developing situation.
In July of this year, then-Prime Minister Bayrou unveiled the 2026 budget draft, planning to cut fiscal expenditure by 43.8 billion euros (about 216.4 billion ringgit) to prevent further escalation of public debt risk. Specific measures include converting two public holidays into working days and halving the increase in medical insurance spending. This draft sparked huge controversy, faced widespread public opposition, and became the trigger for the nationwide protests on the 10th.
The government led by Bayrou failed to pass a vote of confidence in the National Assembly on the 8th. On the 9th, Bayrou submitted his resignation to President Macron on behalf of the government. Macron subsequently appointed former Defense Minister Lecornu as the new Prime Minister.