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On Saturday, a massive crowd of over 100,000 demonstrators gathered across France to express their discontent with President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint Michel Barnier as prime minister. Many saw this move as a concerning consolidation of power.
According to the interior ministry, a significant 110,000 people protested across France on Saturday, with 26,000 gathering in Paris alone. However, some opposition leaders estimated the nationwide turnout to be much higher, at around 300,000.
Protesters gathered in cities spanning the country, from Nantes in the west to Nice and Marseille in the south, and as far east as Strasbourg, demonstrating the widespread opposition to the government’s move.
Seeking to bounce back from a disappointing showing in the snap elections, President Macron named Michel Barnier, a 73-year-old former foreign minister with a wealth of experience, including leading the EU’s Brexit negotiations, as his new prime minister.
On Friday, Barnier signaled his intention to build a cabinet that reflects the country’s political diversity, announcing that he’s open to appointing ministers from various stripes, including those with left-wing affiliations, in a bid to promote greater collaboration and consensus.
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Macron’s appointment of Barnier has drawn fierce criticism from the left-wing coalition, which emerged as the country’s largest political force in the recent elections, with many viewing it as a cynical attempt to maintain the status quo rather than embracing meaningful reform.
The left-wing alliance had pinned their hopes on Lucie Castets, a 37-year-old economist, to lead the government as prime minister, but Macron vetoed the proposal, citing concerns that she wouldn’t garner enough support to survive a crucial confidence vote in the fragmented parliament.
As protesters took to the streets on Saturday, many vented their frustration directly at President Macron, with some going as far as demanding his resignation, underscoring the depth of discontent with his leadership.
