Michel Barnier, who was recently appointed as the new French prime minister, faced criticism from the left and the National Rally on Saturday, September 7. The president of the National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, demanded that the new prime minister take into account the “issues of the National Rally” in his future government, which he labeled as “fragile”. The RN, with its 126 deputies (142 including Eric Ciotti’s allies), stated that they would likely have a role as an arbitrator in the upcoming months and insisted on monitoring Michel Barnier closely.
The National Rally emphasized that they would judge Michel Barnier based on his actions and would not attempt to overthrow him in the National Assembly until they knew the content of his program. Bardella warned Barnier that the RN was now an important political force in parliamentary politics and that he would be under surveillance. Barnier responded by stating that he was accountable to all French citizens, as he made his first official visit as prime minister to Necker Hospital in Paris.
In response to the left-wing criticism, Barnier rejected accusations of a “coup” and emphasized the need for unity around a government action plan. He highlighted the seriousness of the country’s financial situation and called for a long-term battle. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of La France insoumise (LFI), encouraged the crowd to continue their mobilization against the government, citing the perceived alliance between Macron, the right, and the far-right as a reason for concern.
The choice of Michel Barnier as prime minister fueled the determination of the protesters, with many expressing dissatisfaction with his comments on immigration. Some protesters accused Barnier of echoing far-right opinions, despite his claims of willingness to work with the left. The atmosphere in Paris was charged with calls for Macron’s resignation and criticisms of the perceived collaboration between different political factions.
On Saturday, Barnier continued his consultations at Matignon, meeting with his predecessor Elisabeth Borne and having lunch with the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet. The exchanges between politicians highlighted the challenging political landscape that Barnier would have to navigate as he took on his new role as prime minister following his appointment. The interactions with his political counterparts reflected the tensions and expectations surrounding his leadership.
