The Prime Minister's first day on the job as Prime Minister coincided with extensive street protests opposing President Macron, former Prime Minister François Bayrou and the austerity policy awaiting France.
In several places, demonstrators and police clashed. Behind the protests were, among other things, several leading trade unions. In total, the protests drew around 175,000 participants, who were followed by 80,000 police officers. About 500 arrests were made during the protests.
The demonstrations were not as extensive as expected, and the reason may have been that the vote of confidence that brought down Bayrou's government gave President Macron a certain respite. His choice of the close associate, former Defense Minister Lecornu, as Prime Minister, however, aroused the opposition's anger.
Trade union leader Christian Grolier said that many who are angry with President Macron's policy will wait to protest until September 18, when massive demonstrations are called for by trade unions.
