On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators in France protested Emmanuel Macron’s choice of Michel Barnier, a centre-right figure and former EU Brexit negotiator, as the new prime minister.
The protests were driven by leftwing parties who accused Macron of undermining the democratic process by not selecting the candidate from the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which had won the most votes in the recent legislative elections.
Macron’s decision came after a legislative election that resulted in a hung parliament with three distinct blocs. Barnier, who was appointed on Thursday, acknowledged on Friday that his government, lacking a clear majority, would need to include members from various political backgrounds, including some from the left.
Barnier faces significant challenges, including pushing through reforms and managing the 2025 budget amid pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to cut France’s deficit.
Meanwhile, a recent Elabe survey revealed that 74% of French citizens believed Macron ignored election results, with 55% thinking he effectively stole the election.
In response to Barnier’s appointment, leftwing groups, unions, and student organizations organized protests nationwide and are considering further actions, including potential strikes on October 1.
Barnier’s new government could face a vote of no confidence, particularly since the NFP and far-right National Rally (RN) together hold a majority in parliament and could potentially remove him.
The RN has signaled its conditional support for Barnier, making it a crucial player in his administration’s survival.
