An estimated 250,000 people, including 75,000 in Paris alone, took to the streets of France yesterday for demonstrations triggered by concerns that the far-right National Rally party could be poised to win power.
Anti-racism groups joined French unions and a left-wing coalition for the demonstrations, with campaigning underway prior to snap parliamentary elections called by President Emmanuel Macron, and scheduled for June 30 and July 7.
The French Interior Ministry said a total of a quarter of a million people turned out to protest, almost one-third of them in the capital.
Despite rainy and windy weather, those who fear that the elections will produce France’s first far-right government since World War II gathered at Place de la Republique before marching through eastern Paris. Up to 21,000 police and gendarmes were deployed.
The protesters held placards reading “Liberty for all, Equality for all and Fraternity with all” – a reference to France’s national motto – and “Let’s break frontiers, documents for all, no to the immigration bill.” Some chanted “Free Palestine, viva Palestina,” and wore keffiyeh scarves.
Against the backdrop of music of French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, the crowd chanted “Everyone hates racism.”
Mohamed Benammar, 68, a French doctor with Tunisian roots who works in a Paris public hospital, said: “France is made up of people of different origins. It is its strength. The National Rally wants to break that.
“We provide medical care to everyone, without worrying about their nationality, the colour of their skin or their religion, unlike the fascists (extreme-right leaders) that single out Black, Arabs or Muslim people.”
Police in Paris reported “numerous attempts at damage” by protesters. They said that nine protesters were arrested and three officers were injured.
One journalist said police used tear gas against demonstrators who tried to vandalise a bus stop and advertising boards.
In the French Riviera city of Nice, protesters marched down Jean Médecin Avenue, the city’s main shopping street, chanting against the National Rally, its leader Jordan Bardella as well as against President Emmanuel Macron. Local police said 2,500 people took part.
Nice is a conservative stronghold, but in the last decade Ms Le Pen and her far-right rival Eric Zemmour have been increasingly popular.
Crowds have been gathering regularly ever since National Rally made historic gains in the European Parliament elections on Sunday, hammering Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance and prompting him to dissolve the National Assembly.
A joint statement issued by French union leaders on Friday said: “We need a democratic and social upsurge – if not the extreme right will take power.
“Our Republic and our democracy are in danger.”
To prevent the National Rally party from winning the upcoming elections, left-wing parties have agreed to set aside differences over the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and form a coalition.
They urged French citizens to defeat the far right.
If National Rally comes out on top, its leader, Jordan Bardella, 28, would have strong case to be the country’s next Prime Minister – a post currently occupied by Gabriel Attal, himself a youthful 35.