Protesters across France disrupted traffic, burnt rubbish bins and at times clashed with police on Wednesday in a bid to "Block Everything" in a show of anger against President Emmanuel Macron, the political establishment and planned budget cuts.

Tens of thousands of security forces who had been deployed across the country removed blockades as fast as possible, officials said, meaning that France was, for now, not blocked despite some scuffles.

Nearly 300 protesters were arrested across the country.

It made for a dramatic backdrop for new prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, who took office on the day of sprawling anti-government protests.

Mr Macron picked Mr Lecornu to be his fifth prime minister in two years, naming a loyalist who is unlikely to rip up his pro-business economic agenda.

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