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September 29, 2025

Andrew Campbell 

On September 18, France witnessed its largest protest in recent history. Authorities deployed thousands of security personnel to respond to widespread unrest and disruption.

The nationwide call to action was backed by all of the country’s major unions, drawing more than 800,000 participants, according to official figures. Over 250 demonstrations were organized across France.

At the heart of the September 18 mobilization are concerns over the projected 2026 budget and mounting government instability. Since September 10, protesters aligned with the “Block Everything” movement have been rallying in Paris. In an attempt to ease tensions with both the public and the unions, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced plans to abolish “lifetime” benefits for former prime ministers.