Violence erupts at Paris May Day protests as marchers criticise re-elected Emmanuel Macron
- Thousands of people joined May Day marches across France in which they called for salary increases and for Macron to drop his plan to raise the retirement age
- Most protests were peaceful but violence broke out in Paris, where police had made 29 arrests, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter
Police fired tear gas to push back black-clad anarchists who ransacked business premises in the French capital Paris on Sunday during May Day protests against the policies of newly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron.
Thousands of people joined May Day marches across France in which they called for salary increases and for Macron to drop his plan to raise the retirement age.
Most were peaceful but violence broke out in Paris, where police had made 29 arrests so far, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter.
Clashes with police broke out at the start of the march near La Republique Square and when it reached La Nation Square in eastern Paris.
“Black Bloc” anarchists ransacked a McDonald’s restaurant on the Place Leon Blum and trashed several real estate agencies, breaking their windows and setting garbage bins on fire.
Police said activists had even attacked firefighters, trying to put out fires. Police responded by firing tear gas.
About 250 rallies were organised in Paris and other cities including Lille, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseille. In the capital, trade unionists were joined by political figures – mostly from the left – and climate activists.
The cost of living was the main theme in the presidential election campaign and looks set to be equally prominent ahead of June legislative elections that Macron’s party and its allies must win if he is to be able to implement his pro-business policies, including increasing retirement age to 65 for 62