Last Updated on 07/09/2024 by Arun jain
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in France to protest against President Emmanuel Macron decision In appointing centre-right Michel Barnier as prime minister, left-wing parties accused him of stealing legislative elections.
Protests took place in Paris as well as other cities, including Nantes in the west, Nice and Marseille in the south, and Strasbourg in the east.
On Thursday, Macron appointed Barnier, 73, a conservative and former European Union Brexit negotiator, as prime minister. A two month long search Following Macron’s ill-fated decision to call legislative elections delivering a hung parliament divided into three blocs.
The left, led by the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, has accused Macron of stealing the election after Macron refused to choose the candidate of the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which topped the July poll.
Many demonstrators directed their anger at Macron, with some calling for his resignation.
“The Fifth Republic is collapsing,” said protester Manon Bonijol. “As long as Macron is in power, expressing one’s opinion will be useless.”
In his first interview as head of government, Barnier said Friday night that his government, which lacks a clear majority, would include conservatives, members of Macron’s camp, and he hoped for some from the left.
It faces the daunting task of trying to implement reforms and a 2025 budget, as France comes under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.
Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said opponents believe Macron is allowing the far-right to stay in government by giving Barnier the job.
“They say Macron opened the door for the far right to become more powerful than ever in France’s political landscape,” she said. “There is a lot of anger as well as a lot of sense of injustice, and a feeling that Macron has made a mockery of democracy.”
Pollster Ellabe published a survey on Friday showing that 74 percent of French people ignore Macron’s election results, with 55 percent believing he stole.
Col Stengler, an analyst who covers politics in France, said opponents felt Macron’s decision did not reflect the results of past elections.
“Macron and the business establishment are increasingly worried about the next budget deadline,” he said. “They have to approve the budget by the end of the year and they have to present the budget in Parliament by October 1.
“Barnier is someone who has a reliable partner. He will be able to control France’s public finances from Macron’s point of view.
Stengler added that Barnier is also someone who is palatable to the far-right political movement in the country – which has yet to commit to supporting him.
Post Protesters rally against Barnier’s appointment as PM in France appeared first Al Jazeera.