Having just been appointed to Matignon, Michel Barnier faced criticism from the left and the National Rally on Saturday, September 7. On a trip to the Châlons-en-Champagne fair, the president of the National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, demanded of the new prime minister that “The subjects of the National Rally” be taken into account by his future government, which he has labelled as « fragile ».
If the RN has so far made it known that it would judge Mr. Barnier “on parts”and did not intend to try to overthrow him in the National Assembly before knowing the content of his program, the tone hardened, the far-right party capitalizing on its contingent of 126 deputies (142 with the allies of Eric Ciotti). “We will probably have a role as arbitrator in the coming months and starting today”recalled the head of the RN.
“I believe that from this day on, Mr Barnier is a prime minister under surveillance. (…) of a political party which is now essential in the parliamentary game”he added. “I am under the surveillance of all French people”retorted Michel Barnier on the sidelines of his first trip as head of government, to the Necker hospital in Paris.
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“No one is fooled” on the left, says La France Insoumise
Addressing the left, thousands of whom marched across France on Saturday, Mr Barnier rejected the words of “coup de force, which there is no need to pronounce”. “We are not in that state of mind: the spirit is to unite around a government action project,” he further pleaded, arguing that the country’s financial situation was « grave ».
“I call you to a long-lasting battle”notably launched the leader of La France insoumise (LFI), Jean-Luc Mélenchon, to the Parisian crowd, also rejoicing at the mobilization for the 150 marches claimed on Saturday in the country. The choice of Michel Barnier has strengthened the determination of the demonstrators. “We see that a pact has been sealed between Macronie, the right and the extreme right”ranted MP (LFI, Seine-Saint-Denis) Aurélie Trouvé to the Parisian press, as shouts rang out in the crowd “Macron resign”. If Mr Barnier said on Friday that he was ready to work with the left, “no one is fooled”added M.me Found, who did not appreciate his harsh speech on immigration, judging that he was repeating “What the far right has always said”.
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The new Prime Minister also continued his consultations at Matignon on Saturday, where he spoke on Saturday morning with his predecessor Elisabeth Borne, before having lunch at the National Assembly with its president, Yaël Braun-Pivet.
