Protests Erupt in France Over Macron's Controversial Appointment of Michel Barnier as Prime Minister
Thousands of people took to the streets in France on Saturday to protest the appointment of conservative politician Michel Barnier as Prime Minister. Leftist parties are accusing President Emmanuel Macron of ignoring the results of the parliamentary elections held just two months ago by selecting the former EU Commissioner. Since the elections, Barnier's center-right party, Les Républicains, has become the fifth-largest faction in the National Assembly with fewer than 50 deputies, while the strongest force is the New People's Front (NFP) France.
President Macron's decision to appoint the 73-year-old Barnier, known for leading Brexit negotiations as an EU Commissioner, has ignited discontent among various groups. Unions, student representatives, and especially parties within the leftist spectrum have called for mass mobilizations. The party La France Insoumise (LFI), translated as Unyielding France, reported that there were 130 demonstrations nationwide on Saturday alone.
A poll released shortly before the protests by the polling institute Elabe indicated that 74 percent of the French public believe Macron has disregarded the electoral outcomes. The rising tide of discontent is further exemplified by looming strikes in France, scheduled to begin on October 1, which have been called to coincide with Saturday’s demonstrations.
Macron's political landscape has shifted dramatically since the European elections, where the right-wing Rassemblement National (RN) gained support. In July, Macron's own party, Ensemble, lost its parliamentary majority, prompting the president to announce new elections. While the French Constitution allows the president to appoint a prime minister of choice, the appointed individual must be able to withstand potential votes of no confidence from the opposition.
In this current political dynamic, the NFP and RN together hold a majority and may collaborate to challenge the head of government. Both factions have strongly opposed several of Macron's unpopular reform initiatives, particularly the controversial decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 years. Despite the growing opposition, Barnier has asserted his commitment to support these reforms.
With the RN now positioned as a potential kingmaker, RN leader Jordan Bardella remarked to broadcaster BFM that Barnier will be closely observed, stating, "Nothing happens without us." In his first interview post-appointment, Barnier expressed his intention to unify the fragmented parliament while adopting a firmer stance on immigration policies.
As protests continue and the possibility of strikes looms, the political landscape in France remains highly volatile, with the potential for significant social unrest in response to governmental decisions.
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