Violence erupted in the streets of Paris on Sunday night during the May Day protests against the re-election of President Emmanuel Macron.
Thousands took to the streets to march across France to oppose some of Macron’s policies, such as raising the retirement age from 62 to 65, as well as calling for higher wages.
Most of the marches were peaceful, but violence erupted in the capital as police used tear gas and clashed with black-clad anarchists.
Police arrested 54 people, including a woman who attacked a firefighter trying to put out the blaze, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter. He added that eight police officers were injured.
Protesters try to demolish a booth as they clash with police in Paris
(EPA)
The violence first erupted at the beginning of the march near Place de la République and when it reached Place de la Nation in eastern Paris.
Black Bloc anarchists attacked McDonald’s in Leon Bloom Square and damaged several real estate agencies by breaking their windows and setting fire to trash cans. Police responded with tear gas.
About 250 rallies were organized in Paris and other cities, including Lille, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseilles. A total of 116,500 people demonstrated across the country, including 24,000 in the capital.
A masked protester during the annual May Day demonstration in Paris
(EPA)
The cost of living has been a major theme in the presidential campaign and looks set to be just as important ahead of the June legislative election, which Macron’s party and its allies must win to pursue business policies.
“It is important to show Macron and the whole political world that we are ready to defend our social rights,” said Joshua Antunes, a 19-year-old student. He also accused the president of “inaction” on environmental issues.
A protester throws a stone at an ATM in front of a bank smashed by protesters in Paris
(Getty Images)
The demonstrators carried banners reading “Retirement before arthritis”, “Retirement at 60, freeze prices” and “Macron, get out”.
“The government needs to tackle purchasing power by raising wages,” Philip Martinez, head of the CGT union, told Reuters ahead of the rallies.
Mr Macron won a new five-year presidential term after defeating far-right contender Marin Le Pen in a run-off last Sunday. Jean-Luc Melanchon, who finished third in the first round of the presidential election, attended the march in Paris.
A protester reacted to the ground as police clashed with protesters
(AFP via Getty Images)
Mr Melenchon, who is politically on Macron’s left, wants to unite a progressive union, including the Greens, to dominate parliament and force Macron into an awkward “coexistence”.
“We will not make any concessions on pensions,” Mr Melenchon said before the march began. He said he still hopes an agreement to build a new union of the left will be reached by Sunday night.
Additional Reuters reports
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