France, protest against the extreme right before the parliamentary elections

2024-06-15 21:24:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

France, protest against the extreme right before the parliamentary elections

Protesters march during a protest in Marseille, France June 15, 2024.

Thousands of French people marched in Paris and cities across France on Saturday to protest against the far-right National Union (RN) party ahead of the upcoming French parliamentary elections.

After the National Union's victory in last Sunday's European Parliament elections, police said 350,000 people were expected to march and 21,000 law enforcement officers were mobilized, as labor unions, student and human rights groups called for protests against the party that opposes immigration.

At least 150 marchers were expected in cities such as Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon and Lille.

In Paris, police said around 75,000 people took part in the protests.

According to the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union, which was quoted by BFM television, 250,000 people marched in Paris and 640,000 in total across the country. Police said they had arrested seven people in Paris. According to law enforcement figures, around 217,000 demonstrators took part in the protests across France.

Speaking in the Place de La Republique, CGT union leader Sophie Binet told reporters that "we are marching because we are extremely worried that (far-right leader) Jordan Bardella could become the next prime minister... We want to prevent this disaster," she said.

Carol-Ann Juste, a 22-year-old student who marched in Paris, said it was her first time participating in a protest. She said she wanted to "fight to make it possible for France to continue to be a country of human rights, freedom and tolerance".

THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT

At the same march, Cecilia Lormeau, a 34-year-old teacher who said she plans to vote for the Popular Front, an alliance of left-wing parties, said "it is important to show that we are mobilized and that the National Union does not represent the majority of the people".

President Emmanuel Macron called snap parliamentary elections, to be held in two rounds on June 30 and July 7, after his centrist alliance was defeated by the Union Nationale in last Sunday's European Parliament vote.

According to a recent survey by "OpinionWay-Vae Solis" published on Saturday, the National Union is expected to win the elections with about 33% of the votes, but not enough to form a government on its own. The Popular Front is expected to get 25 percent of the votes, while Mr. Macron's party can secure about 20 percent of the votes./ VOA