France saw widespread protests on Saturday as hundreds of demonstrators expressed their opposition against President Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of Michel Barnier, a conservative and centre-right politician, as the nation’s new prime minister.
Macron had named Barnier, the EU’s former Brexit negotiator, as PM on Thursday after a two-month-long search following the hung parliament verdict in the snap elections held in July.
By appointing Barnier (73) as the new PM, Macron is hoping to bring stability to French politics as he had deep ties to the European Union (EU). France is under immense pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.
France Unbowed (LFI) party, the far-left political party, views Barnier's conservative background as rejecting the electorate's will. The party accused Macron of denying democracy and stealing the election after the president refused to pick the candidate of the New Popular Front (NPF) alliance, which secured maximum votes in July.
Amid high tensions, protesters gathered at Place de la Bastille. Rallies took place across France including the southwestern cities of Montauban and Auch.
Meanwhile, Barnier during his first official visit as PM at Paris' Necker Hospital said that he is committed to listening to public concerns, especially about France’s public services.
Also, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) speaking at the Chalons-en-Champagne fair, called for the PM to include his party's priorities in his agenda, particularly regarding national security and immigration.
Barnier is the oldest of the 26 prime ministers that have served modern France's Fifth Republic. He replaces the youngest, Gabriel Attal, 34, who was appointed just eight months ago.
Attal was forced to resign after Macron's centrist government suffered a major defeat in the July snap legislative elections.
Among the main challenges ahead for Barnier include forming a government that can navigate the fractured National Assembly and resolving the political crisis in France.