"By many measures, France is in a political crisis. The country has record debt levels. Its last two prime ministers were brought down in no-confidence votes because they couldn't find agreement on a budget. President Emmanuel Macron has never been so unpopular. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports from Paris. ELEANOR BEARDSLEY, BYLINE: When Macron appointed his latest prime minister last month - yet another mainstream conservative from his camp - the left took to the streets in protest."
"She says Macron's economic policies are deadly. EDIT FETVET: (Through interpreter) The rich have never been richer, while our healthcare and schools are being degraded. The quality of life is diminishing, and money is flowing from the people to prop up companies and benefit the wealthy. BEARDSLEY: Many in this crowd believe raising taxes on the very rich will solve the debt crisis. They want a prime minister who will do that and not the one Macron just appointed."
"The left deserves the prime ministership says protester Gal Godar (ph) because Macron lost his parliamentary majority in elections last year, and it was the left which united to beat back a surging far right. GAL GODAR: So, for one year now, we've been facing new prime minister. And they were all not what we voted for. So that's a problem."
France is undergoing a political crisis marked by record debt and weakened governance. Two recent prime ministers fell in no-confidence votes after failing to secure a budget. President Emmanuel Macron's popularity has declined amid perceptions that his economic policies favor the wealthy. Mass protests erupted after Macron appointed another mainstream conservative prime minister, with demonstrators calling for higher taxes on the rich and protection of public services. The left claims entitlement to the prime ministership after uniting to block a rising far-right movement last year. Many former Macron voters now view his leadership as inadequate to prevent far-right gains.
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