Nationwide unrest broke out across France on Wednesday as protesters blocked roads, set fires and clashed with police, who responded with tear gas, as anger grows against the country’s political class.

Protesters blocked roads, roundabouts and tram lines across the country as Sébastien Lecornu took office. It was a sign of the challenges ahead.

Although France did not come to a standstill or grind to a halt on Wednesday, numerous protests took place throughout the day across the country with large gatherings in certain cities – with headcounts between 175,

France's interior minister announces nearly 200 arrests in early stages of nationwide day of protests

On 18 September, a French air traffic control strike is expected to affect thousands of travellers. View on euronews

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed defence minister Sébastien Lecornu as his new prime minister, turning to one of his closest allies to try to quell political turmoil in the country. Macron moved quickly after outgoing premier François Bayrou was ousted in a confidence vote in parliament on Monday over his plan to reduce France’s deficit through a €44bn package of tax increases and spending cuts.

France’s parliament has removed the government of Prime Minister François Bayrou after just nine months in office, piling pressure on President Emmanuel Macron to find a successor. Bayrou sought parliamentary support to end a lengthy deadlock over his austerity budget,