From Kathmandu to Paris, the Anti-Government Protests Hint at a Growing Wave of Global Unrest.

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A global wave of resistance came into the picture with the protest in Paris over an unstable government setup amidst ongoing violent Nepal turmoil. Within a day of appointing the new Prime Minister, people in France took to the streets in a “Block Everything” protest against the government. 

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as a replacement for François Bayrou, who was forced to resign late Monday after losing a confidence vote in parliament. 


The Reason Behind the Paris Protest

It was the fifth Prime Minister of France in less than two years. The sudden decision to replace the Prime Minister angered left-wing parties and fueled criticism of Macron’s leadership style. A representative of the CGT transport union, Fred, lashed out at the President, saying: "It's the same story — Macron is the problem, not just his ministers," to news agency Reuters. "It's his way of working. He has to go," he added.

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Earlier, former Prime Minister Bayrou decided to slash £35 billion (around Rs. 3.7 lakh crore) from state spending to reduce national debt, which triggered public outrage. The experts are drawing comparisons with the infamous Yellow Vests movement, which forced Macron to retreat on key policies in 2018.


The Current Situation


On early Wednesday morning, a group of about a hundred young protesters assembled at the Porte d’Orléans in the 14th Arrondissement of Paris. Then they moved up to the Place d’Alésia, knocking over several recycling cans and e-bikes. 

The protesters also erected makeshift barricades, lit trash fires, and blocked traffic, clapping and chanting a protest slogan: “Even if Macron doesn’t want it, here we are,” which was popularized during the Yellow Vest movement. As per the latest updates, protesters are targeting fuel depots, supermarkets, and petrol stations. Some social media groups have also directed large-scale looting across the capital. 

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However, the "Block Everything" movement is not a new one. It began online in May among right-wing groups, which was later adopted by left-wing and far-left activists. Conducted through social media, this movement has gradually become a voice for dissatisfaction over proposed austerity.


Steps Taken by the French Government


To contain the growing unrest, the French government has deployed over 80,000 police and security personnel across the nation. “Law enforcement has the order to not tolerate any violence, any vandalism, any blockage, any occupation of our nation’s essential infrastructure,” Bruno Retailleau, the departing interior minister, told reporters on Wednesday morning in Rungis, a Paris suburb.

From Kathmandu to Paris, public protests are uniting voices of dissent. Will these movements of standing against the government and urging for change add more pages to the history? Only time will tell.