French protesters rage at ‘stolen election’ as Macron picks conservative Barnier for PM
Two months after snap parliamentary elections that threw France into political turmoil, tens of thousands of left-wing demonstrators rallied in central Paris on Saturday in protest at French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to name conservative Michel Barnier as prime minister in what they termed a “power grab” and a “stolen election”. FRANCE 24 reports.
Two months after France's inconclusive snap elections, and just two days after Michel Barnier's appointment as prime minister, the mood at the rally in downtown Paris on Saturday was defiant but festive.
Amid cries of “Macron Out!, Resign Macron!” leftist demonstrators gathered in the autumn sun in their thousands to protest against French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint the veteran conservative prime minister, rather than a candidate from among their ranks.
“I’m so angry,” said Rocio, 59, as demonstrators gathered at Place de la Bastille in central Paris, a focal point of protests and marches.
“The election results have not been respected, our votes have been stolen. The people are fed up. We want to be respected," said the data entry operator, describing France’s deeply unpopular president as a “monarchist” and a “bankers’ stooge” – adding that she wanted him to be impeached.
‘Power grab’
“He's a homophobe, an Islamophobe. He's everything that I reject,” she added.
“I call you for what will be a long battle,” he told protesters as they roared their approval in reply.
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
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