No Room for Disorder: French Interior Minister Orders Police Crackdown on Planned Nationwide Shutdown

France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, has vowed “the utmost firmness” in dealing with a viral protest campaign calling for a nationwide “shutdown” next week, warning that no disruption to public order or critical infrastructure will be tolerated.

The campaign, which has gained traction on social media under the slogan “Let’s block everything,” is scheduled for Wednesday, two days after Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a crucial confidence vote in parliament over his austerity budget.

“I don’t believe there will be any large-scale movements,” Retailleau told reporters on Friday. “But given the radical nature of these groups, we may see some spectacular actions. Blocking everything is worse than anything else. The country doesn’t need to be blocked.”

Authorities fear the decentralised nature of the protests — which call for blocking train stations, picketing oil refineries and staging civil disobedience — could complicate law enforcement responses. In a directive sent to regional prefects on Thursday, Retailleau ordered police to fully mobilise to “manage this crisis” and ensure that “no damage to public buildings in general, and landmark buildings in particular, will be tolerated.” He also directed that schools and universities be secured.

The call for shutdown reflects growing public frustration with political gridlock, inflation, and rising living costs. Prime Minister Bayrou’s proposal to cut two public holidays has added to the anger.

“Taxes on the rich are never voted in, while we are asked to tighten our belts,” said Chloe Souske, a 35-year-old resident of Monterfil in northwestern France. Another supporter, Benjamin Ball from Argenteuil, argued that “a gap has opened up with the political elite who work for billionaires.”

Bayrou’s government is widely expected to lose Monday’s vote of confidence, in what analysts say would mark another major setback for President Emmanuel Macron, now on his sixth prime minister since 2017.

For unions and left-wing groups backing the protest, the coming week will be a test of whether grassroots anger can translate into disruptive nationwide action — and of whether the government can maintain investor confidence in its fiscal strategy amid mounting unrest.

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