Police used tear gas to repel black-clad anarchists who looted shops in Paris, France, during protests against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected on Sunday, May 1. Thousands of people took part in the May Day marches across France, demanding salary increases and urging Macron to abandon his plan to raise the minimum retirement age.
Most of the protests were peaceful, but violence erupted at the start of the demonstration near La Republique square in Paris and when it reached La Nation square in eastern Paris. Black bloc style anarchists looted a McDonald’s restaurant and destroyed several real estate agents. The windows of the workplace were broken, garbage cans were set on fire.
Police said activists even attacked firefighters trying to put out the fires. Police responded by spraying pepper spray. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that these acts of violence in Paris were “unacceptable”. Around 250 demonstrations were held in Paris and other cities, including Lille, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseille. In the capital, trade unionists joined political figures and climate activists, mainly on the left.
The cost of living was the central theme of the presidential campaign and appears to be equally important for next June’s legislative election, which Macron’s party and its allies must win before they can implement their pro-market agenda, including raising the retirement age from 62 to 62. 65 years.
source: Noticias
