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Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of French cities over the weekend to protest President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint a conservative prime minister – despite left-leaning parties winning most seats in the July parliamentary elections, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Around 110,000 people, including students and opposition politicians, marched across the country, claiming that Macron “stole” the elections and demanding his resignation.

Among their chief grievances was the appointment of Michel Barnier, a conservative from the Les Républicains party and the European Union’s former chief negotiator for Brexit.

His appointment came weeks after Macron’s ruling centrist coalition lost its majority in the lower house of parliament in the July 7 election.

The result was a hung parliament that consisted of the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition securing the most votes and the far-right National Rally coming in third place as the single largest party.

The NFP – made up of socialists, greens, communists, and far-left parties – expected their candidate, Lucie Castets, to be named prime minister. But Macron rejected her, saying Castets did not have enough support in the lower house to survive a confidence vote.

Observers told France 24 that the president had to seek assurances from other parties, particularly the National Rally, over the pick for prime minister – potentially casting the far-right group as a kingmaker.

Barnier’s appointment drew ire from NFP leaders who accused Macron of ignoring the will of the French voters and empowering the far-right.

In his first interview, Barnier vowed to focus on reducing immigration, addressing France’s deficit, and raising low wages. He said he was open to discussing Macron’s contested pension reforms but maintained the changes would not be repealed.

Barnier also expressed openness to work with other political parties, but the NFP has refused to join the new government.

Leader of the far-right National Rally party Marine Le Pen said she would wait to see Barnier’s policy proposals before deciding on whether to support him.