Didn't give up protest: France swept by mass strikes
Despite the resignation of Michel Barnier's government, thousands of French people took to the streets of Paris and other cities on December 5 to express their discontent with Macron's policies and to warn the future prime minister against trying to disregard the interests of the people. The French trade union Yellow Vests confirmed to Izvestia that they will participate in all December protests because people want to "change the system." Meanwhile, in his address to the nation, the French president rebuked the New Popular Front and the National Union, which supported the vote of no confidence, for cynicism and promised to appoint a new prime minister in the coming days. On the protests in France and possible candidates for the post of head of government - in the material "Izvestia".
Large-scale protests have taken place in France
The resignation of Michel Barnier's government following the vote of no confidence passed on the previous day did not become a reason for disgruntled French people to postpone strikes and protests scheduled for December 5. In Paris and in many French cities, thousands of union members took to the streets to declare their fundamental disagreement with Macron's policies. Teachers were especially numerous among the strikers. The education ministry estimated that one in three teachers participated in the strike. They were also joined by transportation workers, doctors and workers in the energy sector.
It is worth noting that more strikes by workers in the agricultural and port sectors are scheduled for December 9 and 10. Railroad workers also announced an indefinite strike starting from the evening of December 11. How not to recall the large-scale protests of the "yellow vests" movement, which shook France six years ago.
By the way, the French trade union "Yellow Vests", which considers itself the successor of the movement, confirmed to Izvestia that it will participate in all December protests in France
- "Since the Yellow Vests trade union is made up of people who want to change the system, of course we participate in all events," the structure said.
It is noteworthy that the participants of the protests doubt that the resignation of the Barnier government will fundamentally change the situation. Thus, the representative of the largest trade union FSO Patrick Borde is happy that Barnier's resignation put on pause the discussion of the social security budget, which provided for, among other things, the abolition of 4 thousand jobs in the education sector. However, he still considers the strike necessary for the future government to hear the teachers' demands.
Dissatisfaction with Macron and the system he has built has already led to the fact that his party lost both the European elections and the elections to the national parliament. In this sense, the opposition has a real chance to try to change the situation, the question is whether it will be able to use it, argues Karin Bechet-Golovko, a doctor of public law and visiting professor at Moscow State University.
- It is clear that Macron will cling to his power to the end. But the systemic political crisis seems to have reached its peak. And this is happening against the background that the political situation both in Europe and in the world remains quite uncertain. No one knows yet how Trump will behave with regard to Europe. Therefore, we will now see how strong the political opposition in France and European countries is, whether it can change something or is only able to criticize," added the "Izvestia" interlocutor.
In turn, in an address to the nation on the evening of December 5, Emmanuel Macron said he would appoint "in the coming days" a new prime minister who would form a government capable of taking into account the interests of all parties and propose a new budget in early 2025. A special law will also be submitted to parliament by mid-December to ensure the continuity of state institutions, according to the constitution. Pending the elaboration of a new budget, this law will allow the budget decisions made in 2024 to be used in 2025.
The president did not fail to rebuke the extreme right and extreme left for cynicism and for standing united against the republic by supporting the vote of no confidence. Macron, however, ruled out the possibility of his resignation, emphasizing that he was not going to be held responsible for the mistakes of others.
Macron's term of office expires in 2027.
Who will head the new cabinet
On the morning of December 5, Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of the Barnier government. According to the Elysee Palace, the resigning Prime Minister and his team will continue to deal with "current affairs" until a new government is appointed. The head of the Fifth Republic also held consultations with the President of the National Assembly, Yael Brown-Pivet, and the President of the Senate, Gerard Larcher.
Interestingly, the president also invited to the dinner the leader of the centrist "Democratic Movement" François Bayrou, who previously served as high commissioner for budget planning. In recent days, his name has been floated among the contenders for the post of head of government. In favor of his candidacy is the fact that he, like the leader of the "National Union" Marine Le Pen, advocates the use of a proportional electoral system in future parliamentary elections, rather than a majoritarian one.
Thanks to the proportional voting system, the Rassemblement Nationale was able to take the first place in the June elections to the European Parliament in France. In the subsequent elections to the national assembly, which are held under the majoritarian system, the party won the first round, but lost to the New Popular Front in the second round. This happened because in those constituencies where the first round left three candidates, the leftists and Macronists withdrew their candidacies in favor of the rival National Union, thus reducing the right-wing party's chances of winning.
However, within the "New Popular Front", which passed a vote of no confidence in the government of Michel Barnier, there is still no consensus on the candidate to be chosen by Macron. Thus, "Unconquered France" promised a vote of no confidence in any candidate who does not represent the left-wing coalition. The Socialist Party wants to see at the head of the government "someone from the left, ready to compromise."
As for the Rassemblement Nationale, Marine Le Pen has so far ruled out a new vote of no confidence, explaining that she and her team will "let the future prime minister work" to put together a budget "acceptable to all." That said, party spokesman Jean-Philippe Tanguy did point out one of the red lines, "if the future prime minister does not abandon the indexation of pensions, he will fall." Nevertheless, the party opposes the candidacies of Socialists Bernard Kasnev and Lucie Castets, as well as a member of the center-right party "Republicans" Xavier Bertrand.
Recall that the current Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu was also named among the candidates, who, however, has already assured journalists that he is not a candidate for the post.
Most likely, Lecornu will retain his current post, which he received in May 2022 in the government of Elizabeth Bourne. This is all the more predictable since Lecornu was actively involved in the issue of transferring French-made weapons to Kiev. And given that Macron has promised Zelensky to continue helping Ukraine even if the United States stops doing so under Donald Trump, Lecornuil is likely to keep his post.
French political scientist and philosopher Emmanuel Le Roy believes that there is no personality in France today who, as prime minister, can unite people to the point where Macron does not feel his power is threatened.
- We must realize that today Macron has exhausted his credibility. It is very likely that the political, economic and social situation in France will deteriorate over the next few years," he said.
The expert did not rule out that after the vote of no confidence, the French authorities may show a little more moderation and restraint on the issue of the Ukrainian conflict. Be that as it may, according to polls, 53% of the French approved of the government's resignation. At the same time, about 80% of respondents expressed fears about the consequences of the vote of no confidence. Thus, 82% fear for the future of France and the economic and political situation in the country. In addition, the survey showed that 64% support the resignation of Emmanuel Macron.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
