Appointment Of Michel Barnier As French PM Protested, President Macron Accused Of Antidemocracy

French President Emmanuel Macron with Michel Barnier who has been a candidate for French PM since 2020, before finally being appointed in September 2024. (Al Jazeera/Ludovic Marin/AP)

JAKARTA - Thousands of people took to the streets across France on Saturday (7/9) at the invitation of left-wing parties to protest the appointment of Michel Barnier from the far right as the new prime minister, French media reported.

French left-wing parties of the New Popular Front alliance, which won the most seats in the recent impromptu parliamentary election, have called on citizens to hold protests across the country after French President Emmanuel Macron refused to appoint their candidate, banyak Castets, as head of government.

The biggest party in the bloc, France Unbowed's left-wing party, previously announced that at least 138 demonstrations would be held in various French cities.

About 2.000 protesters gathered in the western French city of La Rochelle, while about 300 people took part in demonstrations in the neighboring town of Saintes, according to a France Bleu radio station report.

Another demonstration is scheduled for 13.00 GMT in the city of Angouleme.

About 600 people joined the protests in Dodogne's western department, while between 300 and 400 people demonstrated in front of a prefecture building in the southwestern French city of Pau, according to France Bleu.

Around 600 people gathered near a prefectural building in the northwestern city of Le Mans.

"I am very surprised by the rejection of democracy like this, the rejection of voters' votes. The far left wing is the leader but the right wing has been appointed prime minister," one of the protesters at Le Mans told the radio station.

Protests also took place on Corse Island, where about 100 people gathered in its largest city, Ajaccio, to demonstrate against Macron, the radio station reported.

In Paris, people took part in a protest against Macron's "defense for power", organized by left-wing parties, reports correspondent RIA Novosti.

Protesters lined up from Bastille Square to the Nation Square, with several thousand people participating in the demonstration, shouting "Macron, come down!", "Macron is a traitor, retreat!", "Stop fighting for Macron's power!", and "Anti-democracy Macron."

Protesters in Paris also opposed Barnier's appointment as the new prime minister.

The protests were followed by lawmakers and leaders of left-wing parties, including France Unbowed party founder Jean-Luc Melenchon, the correspondent said.

The action was attended by about 26,000 people, according to a BFMTV television station report citing city authorities.

Meanwhile, organizers said that 160,000 people participated in the action in Paris and 300,000 across the country.

On Thursday, 73-year-old Barnier was appointed by Macron to occupy the highest position in the French cabinet, 60 days after the sudden parliamentary elections in the country.

Barnier became the oldest French politician to hold the position, replacing 35-year-old Gabriel Attal, who was the youngest when he was appointed.

The results of the French elections made the country face divided parliaments, where no party held the majority.

The New Popular Front Alliance, which includes France Unbowed, Socialist, Green, and Communists, emerged victorious in the second round, capturing 182 seats in the National Assembly.

Macron's coalition is in second place with 168 seats, while the far-right party National Rally won 143 seats.