New protests in France against Macron and Barnier planned for September 21
A broad spectrum of opposition groups will march alongside the far-left La France Insoumise
The protests on September 7 were joined by 300,000 people according to organisers
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A new day of protests against President Macron’s appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister has been announced for September 21. The day will see a broad spectrum of opposition groups march alongside members of the far-left party La France Insoumise.
The appointment of right-wing politician Michel Barnier as prime minister with what opponents perceive as the approval of the far right has caused several political groups, charities and associations to call for the day of protest.
France’s student union, Greenpeace, the family planning association, the young anti-fascist union and several other bodies co-signed an open letter on September 13 calling for their supporters to march.
“Not only has the President flouted the French people's vote for the Nouveau Front Populaire, but he has appointed a hard-right, anti-social, anti-migrant prime minister with a homophobic past who will only be able to govern with Marine Le Pen's permanent approval’, write the signatories.
Mr Barnier famously voted against the depenalisation of homosexuality in 1981.
The call to protest was immediately heeded by La France Insoumise, whose supporters are outraged by the choice of a right-wing prime minister only two months after the left won the most seats in the snap legislative elections.
Its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon claims that Mr Macron has “stolen” the election.
The party spearheaded the previous day of protests on September 7, which it claimed were joined by 300,000 people around France. Official figures, arrived at with the use of a different counting method, put the numbers at 110,000.
No other parties have announced their support for the movement so far. However, the Nouveau Front Populaire is currently preparing to launch a motion of no confidence against Mr Barnier’s government once it has been confirmed.
Read more: When will the members of France’s new government be announced?
While only 58 votes are necessary to initiate a motion of no confidence, 289 votes are needed for such a measure to pass. The NFP have 182 seats in parliament, meaning that they would require cross-party support.
Mr Barnier is expected to name his ministers this week.
