Over 100,000 people demonstrated throughout France on Saturday, protesting against the appointment of the centre-right politician Michel Barnier as the new prime minister.
Michel Barnier’s appointment came after an election that left the political landscape uncertain, with the left-wing New Popular Front securing the most seats.
Trade unions and the New Popular Front called for these protests, expressing outrage over their prime ministerial candidate being bypassed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Michel Barnier, previously the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, expressed his willingness to form a broad coalition government that would include members from the left.
The interior ministry recorded that 110,000 people took part in the protests nationwide, including 26,000 in Paris; however, protest leaders claimed that as many as 300,000 participated.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the radical France Unbowed party urged a strong turnout for national marches, aiming for significant mobilization.
Organizers planned around 130 protests, with the largest commencing in central Paris in the afternoon.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon participated in the Paris march and delivered a speech from a float bearing the message: “For democracy, stop Macron’s coup.”
Protesters are rallying under messages that accuse the government of a “denial of democracy” and a “stolen election.”
Left-wing parties are frustrated after their candidate, Lucie Castets, was overlooked by President Macron, who doubted her ability to pass a confidence vote in the National Assembly.
Despite potential challenges, Michel Barnier might survive a confidence vote, as the far right, which also secured numerous seats, has indicated they might not oppose him.
Critics argue that this situation leaves his potential government beholden to the far right.
Lucie Castets criticized the new arrangement, saying, “We have a prime minister completely dependent on National Rally.”
During the protests, Michel Barnier visited a children’s hospital in Paris, emphasizing the importance of public services but cautioned healthcare workers that his government “is not going to perform miracles,” as reported by local broadcaster BFMTV.
Amid these demonstrations, the new prime minister is focusing on assembling his cabinet.
After discussions with leaders from the right-wing Republicans and the president’s centrist Ensemble coalition, he described the talks as very productive and spirited.
Some leftists have directed criticism towards themselves for their role in ending up with Mr Barnier as prime minister.
Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist Mayor of Paris, noted that the president had contemplated appointing Bernard Cazeneuve, a former Socialist prime minister, but he was rejected by his own party.
Karim Bouamrane, another Socialist Mayor, attributed the situation to stubbornness within the broader left alliance, stating, “They insisted on all or nothing—and now we have nothing.”
