Foreign entities escalating demands for a total shutdown in France

France Braces for September 10 Shutdown Protest: Domestic Movement or Foreign Interference?

A domestic protest movement, dubbed Bloquons Tout!, is set to take place in France on September 10, with the aim to "paralyze" the country through strikes, blockades, and demonstrations. The movement, which has been compared to the anti-government Gilets jaunes protest movement of 2018-2019, appears less structured and emerged online only in July this year.

The protest is being held just two days after parliament is expected to vote down Prime Minister Francois Bayrou over his 2026 austerity budget. Some trade unions, including the CGT and SUD, as well as the hard-left France Unbowed party, have voiced their support for the protest movement.

However, questions are being raised about foreign interference in the September 10 protests. French authorities have cited "influence activities" from pro-government media in Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Algeria. An article on Alfadjr's website described a "besieged France" threatened by IMF control and rising poverty, while outlets such as Caliber in Azerbaijan and Alfadjr in Algeria have recently highlighted Macron's low popularity and warned of possible unrest.

Analysts from French digital intelligence group Projet Fox have tracked hundreds of fake accounts, mainly on X (formerly Twitter), attempting to boost hashtags such as #10septembre2025 and #MacronDémission (Macron resign). A cluster of accounts, attributed to Iran, includes profiles with AI-generated images and repeated calls for blockades or the French president's resignation.

Despite these concerns, a government source specializing in digital affairs told public broadcaster Radio France that there was no evidence of a "massive" campaign, but pointed to "opportunistic amplification" by networks linked to Iran, Russia, and Algeria. The movement calling for a September shutdown across France is largely domestic, with the aim not being so much to interfere directly but to relay narratives portraying France as unstable.

Domestic intelligence services warn of potential blockades targeting transport, energy, and defense sites. The French interior minister has vowed 'utmost firmness' against shutdown protests.

However, it's important to note that, according to the available search results, there are no explicit reports from French authorities or analysts naming specific countries that tried to influence the Bloquons Tout! protests on September 10. The sources primarily discuss the protests' domestic dynamics, participant numbers, demands, and organizational efforts without mentioning foreign interference or influence attempts.

Despite this, the potential for foreign interference remains a concern for many in France as the country prepares for the September 10 protests.

Foreign entities escalating demands for a total shutdown in France