Thousands of protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister. The demonstrations were primarily organized by leftist parties, which accused Macron of undermining democracy by bypassing the candidate from the New Popular Front (NFP), the coalition that received the most votes in the July legislative elections.
Protesters expressed their outrage at what they perceive as a power grab, with many feeling that Macron’s decision disregarded the will of the electorate.
Barnier, a 73-year-old conservative and former EU Brexit negotiator, was appointed on Thursday after a two-month search for a new prime minister following a hung parliament. In his initial remarks, Barnier indicated that his government would aim to include members from various political backgrounds, including the left, despite lacking a clear majority in the National Assembly.
A recent poll revealed that 74% of the French population believes Macron has ignored the election results, with 55% asserting he effectively stole the elections. The protests, which were anticipated to number around 130 demonstrations nationwide, included significant gatherings in major cities such as Paris, where tensions escalated between protesters and law enforcement
As Barnier seeks to form his government, he faces the daunting task of navigating a divided parliament, with the far-right National Rally (RN) holding a significant position. The RN has indicated conditional support for Barnier, positioning itself as a potential kingmaker in any confidence votes that may arise.
Barnier’s administration will need to address pressing issues, including the 2025 budget, as France faces pressure from the European Commission to reduce its deficit
