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France’s Le Pen urges Macron to hold referendum to break political deadlock

Far-right leader urges referendum as new Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s hold on power is seen as fragile

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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Sunday. Photo: AFP
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Sunday urged President Emmanuel Macron to hold a referendum on key issues such as immigration, suggesting that giving the French a direct vote might help break the political deadlock.
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Last week Macron appointed the centre-right Michel Barnier, a 73-year-old former foreign minister who acted as the European Union’s Brexit negotiator, as prime minister, seeking to move forward after June-July snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament.

But analysts say the country is set for a period of instability, with Barnier’s hold on power seen as fragile and dependent on support from Le Pen’s Eurosceptic, anti-immigration National Rally (RN), which is the largest single party in the new National Assembly.

The New Popular Front left-wing coalition, which emerged as France’s largest political bloc after the elections, although well short of an overall majority, is also piling pressure on Barnier.
France’s newly appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Photo: AFP
France’s newly appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Photo: AFP
More than 100,000 left-wing demonstrators rallied across France on Saturday to protest against his nomination and denounce Macron’s “power grab”.
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