Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across France in response to the appointment of right-wing Michel Barnier as the new prime minister, following an inconclusive election where the left secured the majority of seats.
Demonstrations are occurring in major cities including Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, and Strasbourg. These protests have been organized by trade unions and left-leaning political factions, expressing outrage that their preferred candidate for prime minister was overlooked by President Emmanuel Macron.
Barnier, previously the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, indicated a willingness to collaborate with politicians across the spectrum, including those on the left.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent figure from the left-wing France Unbowed party, urged supporters to engage in the “most powerful mobilisation possible” during national marches. Approximately 130 protests are planned, with the largest march set to commence from central Paris on Saturday afternoon. Mélenchon is expected to address crowds, advocating for democracy and denouncing what he describes as Macron’s coup.
Protesters are vocalizing their discontent with slogans such as “denial of democracy” and “stolen election.” Many on the left feel aggrieved that their candidate, Lucie Castets, was dismissed by Macron, who claimed she could not survive a confidence vote in the National Assembly.
Barnier may manage to withstand this confidence vote due to the support of far-right parties, which have expressed they would not automatically oppose him, leading to concerns that his government could become reliant on far-right backing.
“We have a prime minister completely dependent on the National Rally,” Castets remarked. On a visit to a children’s hospital in Paris, Barnier emphasized the significance of public services but cautioned healthcare workers that his government would not “perform miracles.”
As the protests unfold, the newly appointed prime minister is dedicated to forming his government. After discussions with leaders of the right-wing Republicans and President Macron’s centrist Ensemble group, he reported that negotiations were progressing positively and with considerable energy.
Some factions within the left are reflecting on their role in Barnier’s appointment. Socialist Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo noted that Macron considered former Socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve for the position, but he was denied by his party. Another Socialist Mayor, Karim Bouamrane, criticized the rigidity of the left alliance, stating, “The path they chose was 100% or nothing – and here we are with nothing.”
