Thousands Protest in France Following Macron’s Appointment of Barnier as Prime Minister

Thousands of people protested across France on Saturday in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of center-right Michel Barnier as prime minister. The decision has sparked accusations from left-wing parties that Macron is undermining the democratic process and ignoring the results of the legislative elections.
Macron’s choice of Barnier, a 73-year-old conservative and former EU Brexit negotiator, follows a hung parliament from the recent elections, which resulted in three major blocs. The appointment of Barnier came after Macron’s decision to call the elections, which left the parliament fragmented.
In his first interview as prime minister, Barnier acknowledged the challenge of leading a government without a clear majority. He expressed intentions to include conservatives, members of Macron’s camp, and potentially some from the left in his administration. His primary tasks will involve pushing through reforms and managing the 2025 budget while facing pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce France’s deficit.
The left, led by the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, has condemned Macron’s move as a betrayal of democratic principles, arguing that he ignored the election results by not appointing the candidate from the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which had the most votes. A recent Elabe poll revealed that 74% of French people believe Macron disregarded the election results, with 55% viewing the appointment as an act of electoral theft.
In reaction to Barnier’s appointment, left-wing leaders, unions, and student groups organized mass protests, with the LFI party coordinating 130 demonstrations nationwide. Further action, including potential strikes on October 1, is being planned.
Barnier is currently engaged in consultations to form a government. His ability to maintain office may be challenged by a no-confidence vote, particularly as he faces a draft budget discussion for 2025 in early October. The NFP and the far-right National Rally (RN), which together hold a parliamentary majority, could potentially collaborate to oust Barnier. The RN has conditionally supported Barnier, positioning itself as a crucial player in the new government’s stability. RN leader Jordan Bardella indicated that Barnier’s tenure will be closely monitored, saying, “Nothing can be done without us.”