HUNDREDS of thousands took to the streets on Saturday, responding to a call from France’s alliance of left-wing parties, who have condemned the appointment of a conservative new prime minister, Michel Barnier, as a power grab.

More than 150 protests across the country challenged President Emmanuel Macron’s decision not to appoint a PM from the far-left bloc following July’s indecisive national assembly election.

The left, particularly communists (PCF) and the France Unbowed party, view Mr Barnier’s appointment as rejecting the electorate’s will after their alliance, the New Popular Front, topped the poll.