Macron Appoints Barnier Amid Protests, Allegations

President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier, a conservative and former EU Brexit negotiator, as France's new prime minister, sparking widespread protests and allegations of electoral theft from left-wing parties. Barnier, the oldest PM in modern French history, faces the challenge of forming a cabinet and driving reforms through a divided parliament, with threats of no-confidence votes looming. Macron's decision has been criticized for seemingly sidelining the left-wing New Popular Front coalition, which won the most seats in the recent legislative election. Analysts suggest Macron's move aims to secure support from the center-right and potentially the far-right National Rally, which has indicated it might not oppose Barnier immediately. Barnier has promised to address national issues like security, education, and immigration, and aims to unify a politically fractured France. His appointment could signal a long-term alliance between Macron's camp and the conservative Les Républicains party.