France is witnessing a wave of large-scale protests after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier, a 73-year-old former European Union Brexit negotiator, as the country’s new prime minister. On September 8, over 100,000 left-wing demonstrators took to the streets across the nation to express their discontent with Macron’s decision, accusing him of consolidating power and ignoring the will of the electorate.

The French interior ministry reported that 110,000 people demonstrated nationwide, with 26,000 rallying in Paris alone. However, left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a key figure behind the protests, claimed the turnout to be significantly higher, asserting that 300,000 people joined the protests across the country. Demonstrations were held in major cities like Nantes in the west, Nice and Marseille in the south, and Strasbourg in the east, signifying the widespread discontent.

The protests reflect broader frustrations with Macron’s policies and leadership style, especially following the snap elections in June and July. Macron’s centrist alliance came in second, and many have criticized his response to this outcome as dismissive. Barnier’s appointment was seen as a calculated move to stabilize the political landscape, but it has done little to appease left-wing factions, who see the nomination as out of step with the electorate’s desires.

Barnier’s appointment comes after a turbulent election season. Macron, 46, is under pressure after his centrist alliance fell short of a majority in the National Assembly. In a politically fragmented legislature, Macron has been striving to build alliances, and appointing Barnier, a seasoned statesman, appeared to be a move aimed at securing support from the center-right.

Yet, the left-wing coalition, which emerged as the largest political bloc in the parliament after the June-July elections, was vehemently opposed to Barnier’s appointment. The left-wing bloc had pushed for 37-year-old economist Lucie Castets to become prime minister, a move that Macron rejected, arguing that she would fail to win a confidence vote in the divided parliament.

Barnier, while expressing openness to appointing ministers from across the political spectrum, has failed to quell the anger from left-wing leaders. His promise to include “people from the left” in his government has been met with skepticism by the left-wing coalition, which perceives Macron’s power play as ignoring the political realities of the hung parliament.

Many demonstrators directed their ire at Macron himself, accusing him of undermining the democratic process. Some even called for his resignation. At the Paris protest, Manon Bonijol, a 21-year-old demonstrator, criticized Macron’s handling of the Fifth Republic’s political structure. “The Fifth Republic is collapsing,” Bonijol stated, referring to the system of government introduced in France in 1958. “Expressing one’s vote will be useless as long as Macron is in power.”

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the hard-left leader of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, has been one of the most vocal critics of Macron’s leadership. He accused Macron of “stealing” the election from the French people and urged his supporters to continue resisting. “There will be no pause,” Mélenchon vowed in Paris, urging people to prepare for further political battles. His calls for demonstrations have resonated with many who feel disillusioned by Macron’s centralization of power.

Mélenchon emphasized that accepting electoral defeat requires humility, a value he argues Macron lacks. “Democracy isn’t just the art of accepting that you’ve won, it’s also the humility of accepting that you’ve lost,” Mélenchon said during his speech at the Paris rally.

Barnier’s appointment as prime minister marks the beginning of a difficult path forward for Macron’s government. With a deeply divided legislature, Barnier will need to navigate complex political dynamics to pass essential legislation, including the 2025 budget. His government will also need to address critical issues such as immigration, security, and healthcare, all while under the close scrutiny of opposition parties.

The National Rally (RN), the far-right party led by Marine Le Pen, has expressed its own reservations about Barnier’s appointment. Le Pen stated that her party would not be part of Barnier’s cabinet but would wait for his policy speech in parliament before deciding whether to back him. Jordan Bardella, the president of the RN, remarked that Barnier was “under surveillance,” reflecting the skepticism many parties have toward the new prime minister.

Barnier himself acknowledged this political reality during a visit to Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris, stating, “I am under the surveillance of all French people.” His leadership will require balancing competing political interests, and his limited support in the National Assembly will make it difficult to govern effectively without forming alliances.

As France faces significant challenges, including inflation, immigration pressures, and rising discontent among younger generations, the leadership of Barnier will likely be tested early on. Many left-wing voters see his appointment as emblematic of a political system that disregards their voices. Protesters like Abel Couaillier, a 20-year-old student, expressed disappointment in Barnier, calling him an “old elephant” representing outdated politics. “I am still young, I want to believe that we can change things,” Couaillier added, reflecting the generational divide that has shaped much of the public discourse in France.

As protests continue and political tensions rise, Barnier’s ability to govern and Macron’s broader strategy for managing a fractured political landscape will face scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. Whether Barnier can build a cross-party government or whether Macron’s bold political maneuver will further destabilize the country remains uncertain.

In the coming weeks, Barnier’s actions will be closely watched as he navigates the immediate challenges of presenting the 2025 budget and managing a divided parliament. For many left-wing and far-right voters, however, the larger question remains whether Macron’s government can restore their faith in French democracy. The protests are a clear signal that discontent runs deep, and the road ahead for Barnier and Macron will be anything but smooth.

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