France, demonstrations against the extreme right throughout the country
Between 50,000 and 100,000 participants in Paris, between 200,000 and 250,000 in the rest of the country the estimates
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Anti-racist groups joined French trade unions and the new left-wing coalition to protest today in Paris and across France against the advance of the nationalist far-right Rassemblement National, as a frantic campaign is underway ahead of early parliamentary elections. In Paris, protesters, who fear the elections will produce France's first far-right government since World War II, gather at Place de la Republique before marching through the eastern part of the city.
Between 50,000 and 100,000 participants in Paris, between 200,000 and 250,000 in the rest of the country. These are the eve's forecasts, according to Le Figaro. The call for demonstrations is the result of a joint initiative by trade unions and several associations, including SOS Racisme, the Ligue des Droits de l'Homme and the student unions Fage and Unef. "We call for this mobilisation to be extended to the whole of France," reads a joint press release issued on Tuesday. The organisers note the 'unprecedented result' obtained by the RN in the European elections and fear to see it 'come to power' after the dissolution of the National Assembly, reports Bfmtv.
In a note sent yesterday to prefects and heads of law enforcement agencies, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin was categorical: 'The period leading up to the elections is characterised by calls for demonstrations that could cause serious public order problems'. Darmanin therefore calls for 'tactful but firm' action to ensure order. "The first reactions observed, particularly from the ultra-left, have led the intelligence services to consider the pre-election and post-election periods as extremely sensitive," he adds. "These reactions may give rise to violent clashes between the ultra-right (2,700 people monitored) and the ultra-left (5,500 people monitored)."
Police estimated 350,000 marching and 21,000 officers were mobilised after unions, student groups and rights groups organised demonstrations to oppose the Eurosceptic and anti-immigration RN ahead of the upcoming French parliamentary elections.
At least 150 marches are planned throughout France in cities including Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon and Lille.
