France: Protest against Macron’s policies held in Paris

More than a thousand people gathered on Saturday near the Place de la Bastille in Paris to demonstrate their discontent with President Macron's policies and his decision to appoint Michel Barnier, from the Les Républicains party, as prime minister, a TASS correspondent on the ground reported. "Macron, impeachment! Down with the Barnier government! They stole the elections from us!" chanted the protesters, most of whom came with the flags of left-wing political parties, including La France Insoumise and the New Popular Front. Other slogans such as "Down with the Fifth Republic" could be read among the banners held by the protesters. Many people also expressed their disagreement with the future government, which according to media reports is expected to be composed of right-wing politicians and members of the presidential party Ensemble pour la République. The TASS correspondent noted that the demonstration is calm and is taking place without major incidents, although riot police are escorting the column of p rotesters that has headed to the Place de la Nation. In total, about fifty demonstrations are taking place this Saturday throughout France. They were organized at the call of student organizations and the La France Insoumise party. As a reminder, Michel Barnier was appointed to Matignon on September 5 and has been trying to form a new government for more than two weeks. This appointment comes in a difficult political context, following early legislative elections, where neither the former ruling majority nor the opposition forces were able to obtain an absolute majority. The first test of the strength of the Barnier government will take place on October 1, when it presents its action program to the National Assembly. Source: Burkina Information Agency