France sees thousands protest over new centre

On Saturday, over 100,000 people protested across France against the appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister, following an inconclusive election where the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) secured the most seats. The protests were organized by trade unions and NPF members, who expressed outrage at President Emmanuel Macron's decision to reject their candidate, Lucie Castets, in favor of Barnier, a centre-right politician and former EU Brexit negotiator. Protesters voiced their discontent with slogans like 'denial of democracy' and 'stolen election.' Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent figure from the radical France Unbowed party, called for significant mobilization during the protests, which included around 130 events nationwide. The largest demonstration took place in Paris, where Mélenchon delivered a speech criticizing Macron's actions as a 'coup' against democracy. The interior ministry reported 110,000 participants, while some protest leaders claimed the number was as high as 300,000. Barnier, who is now focused on forming a new government, has indicated a willingness to collaborate with politicians from various political backgrounds, including the left. However, his potential reliance on support from the far-right National Rally has raised concerns among leftist parties, who fear that his government may be influenced by extremist views. The protests reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the political landscape in France, as many on the left feel betrayed by their own party dynamics, which led to Barnier's appointment. Some leftist leaders have acknowledged their role in the situation, suggesting that internal divisions contributed to the current political crisis.