Anti-facist demonstrations are taking place across France this weekend as campaigning is underway ahead of snap parliamentary elections.
Around 350,000 protesters nationwide will take to the streets in a bid to stop what they see as a surge in popularity for France’s nationalist far right.
In an open letter in Saturday's edition of Le Monde newspaper, around 100 associations and trade unions called for ‘citizen mobilization’ during the elections, due to the risk of the far right taking power.
The demonstrations will include trade unions, social organizations and an alliance formed by left-wing parties called the Popular Front.
In a statement on Friday, the unions said: “We need a democratic and social upsurge – if not the extreme right will take power. Our Republic and our democracy are in danger.”
On Friday, several thousand people demonstrated in Montpellier in the south of France and a further 3,500 in the city of Lyon where four people were injured, including three policemen.
The protests come after Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally made historic gains in last week’s European Parliamentary elections.
In an open letter in Saturday's edition of Le Monde newspaper, around 100 associations and trade unions called for ‘citizen mobilization’ during the elections, due to the risk of the far right taking power.
The demonstrations will include trade unions, social organizations and an alliance formed by left-wing parties called the Popular Front.
In a statement on Friday, the unions said: “We need a democratic and social upsurge – if not the extreme right will take power. Our Republic and our democracy are in danger.”
On Friday, several thousand people demonstrated in Montpellier in the south of France and a further 3,500 in the city of Lyon where four people were injured, including three policemen.
The protests come after Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally made historic gains in last week’s European Parliamentary elections.
This prompted President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call a snap election, which is expected to take place at the end of June and the beginning of July.France:Bayonne:Protest:🚩
— Residents Corner (@ResidentsCorner) June 15, 2024
against the extreme right #LePen#ElectionsLégislatives2024
📽️Michel Hiribarren pic.twitter.com/KBOtyK4Zv4
Source: France24/PAP
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