Several hundred protesters gathered in Paris on Saturday, organized by The Patriots party, to call for the resignation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The demonstration comes amid difficulties in forming a new government following the snap elections in July, according to a report by RIA Novosti.

The call comes amid a tense standoff between Macron and LFI, along with its Green, Socialist, and Communist allies. The conflict centers around Macron's refusal to appoint their candidate, Lucie Castets, as prime minister following July’s inconclusive parliamentary election. Despite their New Ecological and Social Popular Union (NFP) alliance winning the most seats, no party secured a majority in a fragmented parliament divided between the left, Macron's centrist supporters, and the right-wing National Rally (RN).

Crowds have gathered in Denfert-Rochereau square in Paris, loudly chanting slogans such as: "Macron to resign!", "Macron, get out!", "Macron, you're done: the French have taken to the streets!"

🇫🇷A rally demanding Macron's resignation was held in Paris. pic.twitter.com/heoCBKMbe0

— Truthseeker 🇺🇲🇺🇲🎵🇺🇲🎵🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 (@alaskafrau) August 31, 2024

Participants in the demonstration told RIA Novosti that the initiative of 58 lawmakers would be sufficient to initiate an impeachment process against the French president under Article 68 of the French constitution. This article allows for the removal of the president from office if he is found to have violated his duties.

"He [Macron] himself violated the constitution by not recognizing the election results. He does not consider the opinion of the people. We were asked to vote, we postponed vacations. And for what? Macron must go," one of the protesters, Jerome, said.

Several protesters also voiced their support for free speech in France, following the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, in the country.

Related News

Macron in Greenland to counter US pressure, assert European support

UN conference on Palestinian statehood delayed: Macron

"This arrest is outrageous. France has always stood for freedoms and human rights, and what image of ourselves are we creating today?" a protester told RIA Novosti.

At a Paris protest, members of the "Patriots" party tore the EU flag and called for France to exit the #EU and #NATO. They also demanded President #Macron's resignation. pic.twitter.com/IFB6ZAKZcb

— RRN (@RRNmedia) August 31, 2024

At the conclusion of the rally, Florian Philippot, the leader of The Patriots, continued his tradition of tearing up the EU flag. He used this act to call for France's exit from the European Union and NATO.

"We want peace, not war, we want a just, prosperous, and free France. Macron, who is playing war with Russia, making threats bigger and smaller, Macron, who suppressed the yellow vest movement, who impoverished French citizens, who made us dependent on the EU and NATO, has to resign!" Philippot said.

Earlier in the day, the left-wing France Unbowed party took steps to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Macron after he refused to appoint Lucie Castets of the New Popular Front as prime minister.

Read more: France Unbowed calls for impeachment of Macron over 'serious failings'

Macron has defended his refusal to appoint Castets by citing his responsibility to maintain "institutional stability" amid the current political deadlock.

Reports previously mentioned that a new prime minister would be appointed on Tuesday, but Macron decided to initiate a new round of talks instead, sending the left-wing coalition into a rage and prompting them to call for public protests for the impeachment of the president.

"My responsibility is that the country is not blocked nor weakened," Macron said in a statement, urging "all political leaders to rise to the occasion by demonstrating a spirit of responsibility."