Thousands of people in France protested against President Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of center-right Michel Barnier as prime minister, accusing him of stealing legislative elections. Barnier, a conservative and former EU Brexit negotiator, faces the challenge of forming a government with a divided parliament. Left-wing parties criticized Macron for disregarding election results and choosing Barnier over the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which topped the July vote.
Despite lacking a majority, Barnier plans to include members from various political parties in his government to tackle reforms and the 2025 budget. The left has organized mass protests and potential strikes against Barnier’s appointment, with 130 protests scheduled across the country. With NFP and the far-right National Rally holding the power to oust Barnier through a confidence vote, the RN has indicated conditional support for the prime minister. The RN leader emphasized their role in overseeing Barnier’s government, stating, “Nothing can be done without us.” This political turmoil highlights the challenges facing France’s new prime minister as he navigates a fragile political landscape.
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