10.09.2025 12:30
Following the appointment of Lecornu as the Minister of Defense in France, "stop everything" protests emerged, highlighting demands for the strengthening of public services, a fight against media concentration, and additional taxes on the wealthy. According to an Ipsos survey, the movement garnered interest among left-wing voters and supporters of the National Rally (RN), while support from centrist voters remained limited.
The political tension triggered by President Emmanuel Macron's decisions in France has spilled into the streets. The discussions ignited by Lecornu's appointment to the Ministry of Defense have transformed into a mass protest movement with the participation of large crowds.
PROTESTERS' DEMANDS REVEALED
The protesters announced their demands to the public through online brochures.
Among the demands, three main points stood out:
- Strengthening public services: Allocating more resources to essential services such as health, education, and transportation, and limiting privatizations.
- Fighting media concentration: Responding to the concentration of media organizations in the hands of a few large capital groups in France.
- New taxes on the wealthy: Imposing higher tax obligations on the upper income group to address economic injustice.
Analysts state that these demands have long been on the agenda of left-leaning groups and that the ideological foundations of the current movement have been shaped within this framework.
PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH: WHO SUPPORTS IT?
The latest survey by the Ipsos research company revealed striking results about the social base of the movement. According to the survey data:
- Support for the protests is quite high among left-wing voters.
- There is also notable interest in the movement among supporters of the far-right National Rally (RN) party.
- However, participation from centrist voters has remained limited; this indicates that there may be difficulties in spreading the movement to broader masses.
POLITICAL REACTIONS AND RESPONSES FROM THE GREENS
Marine Tondelier, leader of the French Green Party, evaluated the political atmosphere fueling the protests. Speaking to BFMTV, Tondelier described Lecornu's appointment to the Ministry of Defense as a "provocation."
Tondelier stated, "This decision raises questions about the meaning of voting," arguing that Macron's decision has not only escalated political debate but also societal unrest. She emphasized that "this appointment provides an additional justification" for the protests planned for Wednesday.
SOCIAL UNREST IN FRANCE IS INCREASING
Experts believe that the protest movement reflects not only opposition to a single appointment but also a broader economic and political dissatisfaction. It is noted that rising living costs, income inequality, and issues of democratic representation have generated serious reactions among the public. As France prepares for mass demonstrations in the coming days, it remains to be seen whether the movement will turn into a short-term event or a long-lasting political wave.