Thousands protest in France after Macron picks Barnier as prime minister By Reuters

By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) – Thousands of people took to the streets of France on Saturday to protest President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint centre-right Michel Barnier as prime minister, with left-wing parties accusing him of stealing parliamentary elections .

Macron named Barnier, 73, a conservative and former European Union Brexit negotiator, as prime minister on Thursday, ending a two-month search following his ill-fated decision to call legislative elections that led to the division of a hung parliament. in three blocks.

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 some on the left.

Barnier faces the daunting task of trying to push through reforms and the 2025 budget as France comes under pressure from the European Commission and bond markets to reduce its deficit.

The left, led by the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, accused Macron of denying democracy and stealing the election after Macron refused to choose the candidate of the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance that took first place in July. vote.

The Elabe poll released a poll on Friday showing that 74 percent of French thought Macron had ignored the election results, with 55 percent believing he had stolen them.

In response to the appointment of Barnier, whose centre-right Les Republicains party is only the fifth bloc in parliament with fewer than 50 MPs, left-wing leaders, unions and student bodies called for mass protests on Saturday ahead of further action. including possible strikes on October 1.

The LFI party said there would be 130 protests across the country.

Barnier continued consultations on Saturday as he seeks to form a government, a difficult job given he faces a potential no-confidence vote, particularly with an emergency 2025 budget bill due to be discussed in parliament at the beginning of October.

The NFP and the far-right National Rally (RN) together have a majority and could oust the prime minister in a no-confidence vote if they decide to collaborate.

The RN gave its tacit approval to Barnier, citing a number of conditions for him not to support a vote of no confidence, making him de facto the face of the new government.

“He is a prime minister under surveillance,” RN party leader Jordan Bardella told BFM on Saturday. “Nothing can be done without us.”