Thousands of protesters took to the streets throughout France on Saturday to express their opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of the 73-year-old Michel Barnier as the nation’s new Prime Minister.
The demonstrations were predominantly orchestrated by left-leaning political factions, who have accused Macron of subverting democratic principles and manipulating the recent legislative elections, as reported by Reuters.
Barnier, a politician aligned with the center-right and a former negotiator for the EU concerning Brexit, was designated as Prime Minister following a two-month search that ensued after the legislative elections, which culminated in a hung parliament fragmented into three principal political factions.
The appointment of Barnier has elicited significant backlash from numerous leftist organizations, including the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, which asserts that Macron has disregarded the election outcomes in a bid to consolidate his power.
In Barnier’s inaugural address as Prime Minister, he acknowledged the complexities associated with establishing a government devoid of a definitive majority and articulated his aspiration to incorporate members from a broad political spectrum, encompassing conservatives, supporters of Macron, and a selection from the left.
Nevertheless, he is now confronted with the formidable challenge of enacting reforms and preparing the budget for 2025 amidst widespread dissent.
The demonstrations arise in the context of escalating pressure from both the European Commission and the bond markets for France to rectify its burgeoning deficit. However, leftist groups, particularly the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which emerged as the leading force in the July elections, have denounced Macron’s decision as a repudiation of democratic values.
An Elabe poll indicated that 74% of the French populace believes that Macron has overlooked the election outcomes, with 55% accusing him of effectively appropriating them.
Nationwide protests were orchestrated by left-wing leaders, labor unions, and student organizations, with the LFI party independently announcing 130 demonstrations. Additionally, there are proposals for potential strikes commencing on October 1.
Barnier persists in his consultations in a bid to establish a stable government, yet he is confronted with the prospect of a no-confidence vote, particularly as the pivotal budget debate for 2025 approaches in early October.
With the far-right National Rally (RN) party wielding considerable influence in the new parliament, RN leader Jordan Bardella remarked that Barnier “is a prime minister under surveillance,” indicating that no progress can be made without their participation.
