France Faces Nationwide Shutdown on September 10 Amid Protests

France is preparing for a potential nationwide shutdown on September 10, 2025, as calls for mass protests gain traction from both fringe online groups and mainstream political parties. The demonstrations are expected to coincide with a crucial no-confidence vote against Prime Minister François Bayrou, following the unveiling of controversial austerity measures that include cuts to social benefits and the elimination of two public holidays.

The movement, dubbed “Bloquons tout” (Let’s blockade everything), began in relative obscurity but is now drawing considerable attention. Proponents describe it as a reflection of widespread discontent among citizens regarding the government’s financial policies. The push for a shutdown has been likened to the Yellow Vests protests of 2018, which arose in response to President Emmanuel Macron‘s tax reforms and pension changes.

The origins of the shutdown calls can be traced back to a May 2025 post on Telegram by a group known as Les Essentiels France. This group, which has been characterized by some observers as having ties to far-right and conspiratorial factions, advocates for France’s exit from the European Union and expresses skepticism towards military support for Ukraine. Their initial announcement declared that “on September 10, France will grind to a standstill: no more resignation, no more division.”

Following an announcement of budget cuts by Bayrou on July 15, the movement gained momentum, with social media activity soaring to approximately 30,000 posts per day. This surge in online engagement coincided with the formalization of the movement, which included the launch of a dedicated campaign website and social media profiles.

Experts from the French social listening platform Visibrain suggest that the campaign may have been artificially boosted through astroturfing, a strategy that involves creating the illusion of grassroots support. They identified numerous bot accounts on the social media platform X, many appearing as young French women, disseminating divisive content, fake news, and pro-Kremlin messaging. Analysts from Projet Fox emphasized that evidence indicates a coordinated effort to amplify social divisions within France, potentially orchestrated by foreign entities.

As the political landscape shifts, support for the planned shutdown has also emerged from left-wing parties, including France Unbowed (LFI), the Ecologists, and the French Communist Party. Members of the centre-left Socialist Party have expressed varying degrees of support, while trade unions, notably the General Confederation of Trade Unions (CGT), have also backed the demonstrations.

With prominent political figures such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon rallying support, the movement has transitioned from a fringe campaign to a significant political force. This evolution has reduced the emphasis on the role of bots and fake accounts, highlighting a broader coalition of support that spans various political ideologies.

As France braces for potential disruptions on September 10, questions remain about the long-term implications of this movement. The unfolding events may signal a pivotal moment in the nation’s ongoing dialogue about governance, austerity, and public dissent.