Massive Protests Erupt in France Against New Prime Minister

News Today: Thousands Protest Michel Barnier’s Appointment

Over 100,000 protestors took to the streets across France yesterday, expressing outrage over the appointment of Michel Barnier as the new prime minister. Despite the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) winning the most seats in the recent election, President Emmanuel Macron appointed Barnier, a centre-right politician and former EU Brexit negotiator, as prime minister. This decision sparked widespread protests led by unions and left-wing parties like the NPF.

In Paris alone, over 26,000 demonstrators gathered, with radical left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon calling for “the most powerful mobilisation possible.” Protesters used slogans like “denial of democracy” and “stolen election,” criticizing Macron for rejecting NPF’s prime ministerial candidate, Lucie Castets. The protesters argue that Barnier’s government may rely heavily on far-right support, sparking further discontent.

Despite the protests, Barnier remains focused on forming a government and has engaged in discussions with both right-wing Republicans and Macron’s centrist party, Ensemble. While the protests continue, Barnier visited a children’s hospital in Paris, emphasizing the importance of public services, but cautioned that his government would not perform miracles.