Leftist parties in France are mobilizing their supporters to protest against Prime Minister François Bayrou’s draft budget for 2026, which proposes scrapping two national holidays, freezing pensions, and cutting €5 billion from health spending. The movement, dubbed “Block Everything” (“Bloquons tout”), aims to replicate the intensity of the Yellow Vest protests from 2018-2019, though it is characterized by a distinctly leftist agenda.
A recent poll indicates that 69% of those planning to join the “Block Everything” movement supported the far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the 2022 presidential elections. In stark contrast, only 2% of participants backed President Emmanuel Macron, with 3% favoring right-wing leader Marine Le Pen. The study also revealed that 51% of respondents identify as far-left, while 86% align with radical left ideologies.
Online platforms, including Telegram chat groups, are buzzing with calls for a general strike and rhetoric targeting “ultra-rich capitalists.” Concerns about rising inequality are particularly pronounced, with 54% of supporters citing it as their primary issue. Other significant concerns include environmental issues at 43% and health system challenges at 30%.
As the “Block Everything” movement gains momentum, political analysts are closely monitoring its potential impact on the current government and public sentiment. This wave of leftist activism marks a significant shift in the French political landscape, emphasizing economic and social justice in an increasingly polarized environment. The outcome of this movement could reshape France’s political future, similar to the earlier protests that captured national attention.
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