The political crisis that began in France during the European Parliament elections is growing stronger. President Emmanuel Macron’s appointment of former European Union (EU) Brexit Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier as Prime Minister, following a long-standing political crisis in the country, has drawn a huge backlash.
“STOLEN ELECTION”
Despite the left-wing alliance coming first in the election, the fact that the center-right candidate Michel Barnier became prime minister has caused a backlash. Thousands of people took to the streets across the country today after labor unions and left-wing political parties called for protests. Demonstrations are being held in 130 different locations, including cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nice.
Slogans such as “rejection of democracy” and “stolen election” were chanted at the demonstrations, where some protesters carried Palestinian flags.
EARLY ELECTIONS LEADING TO CRISIS IN FRANCE
In France, the far-right National Rally Party (RN) achieved a great success in the European Parliament elections, which led President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call early elections. In the first round of early general elections held on June 30, the 28-year-old National Rally Party came in first with 33.15 percent of the vote, while in the second round held on July 7, the leftist New Popular Front alliance consisting of Unyielding France (LFI), the Green Party (EEVL), the Socialist Party (PS) and the Communist Party of France (PCF) came in first. However, no party was able to form a majority in parliament.
The New Popular Front, which came first in the elections, nominated Lucie Castets as its prime ministerial candidate, but Macron stated that Castets could not receive a vote of confidence in the National Assembly and refused to appoint her as prime minister. On September 5, Macron decided to appoint Michel Barnier from the center-right Republicans (LR) Party as prime minister.
On the other hand, Michel Barnier said in a statement after his election as prime minister that he was open to forming a government that included politicians from all walks of life, including left-wing politicians.