by Layli Foroudi, Ardee NAPOLITANO and Lucien Libert
PARIS (Reuters) -Several thousand people demonstrated in France on Saturday to call for a “republican” surge against the far right which could be brought to power thanks to the early legislative elections of June 30 and July 7.
In total, 145 mobilizations were recorded in France from police sources, notably in Paris, Nantes, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Grenoble.
The CGT reported 640,000 people throughout France – including 250,000 in Paris -, the Ministry of the Interior and the police counted some 250,000 demonstrators in the country, including 75,000 in the capital.
The processions marched without notable clashes, but tensions were reported in Nantes and Paris at the end of the demonstration, which took place from the Place de la République to the Place de la Nation. Nine people were arrested in Paris, notably for damage, and five members of the police were injured, the police headquarters said.
In total, 21,000 members of the police were mobilized in the country.
Five unions, CFDT, CGT, UNSA, FSU and Solidaires, had called for mobilization following Emmanuel Macron’s surprise decision to dissolve the National Assembly on the evening of a severe defeat for the presidential majority. Force Ouvrière, the CFE-CGC and the CFTC, “apolitical”, did not join the slogan.
“This is a historic moment, we are potentially in a tipping point for democracy, it is absolutely necessary that everyone mobilizes,” underlined Marylise Léon, general secretary of the CFDT, at the start of the Parisian procession.
The union banner proclaimed: “For a united future, for social progress – Together against the extreme right!”
For Marylise Léon, “the question is to mobilize those who do not vote” with a view to early elections.
The abstention rate stood at 48.5% in France during the European elections on June 9.
“FASHION” FOR THE RN
The general secretary of the CGT, Sophie Binet, invited right-wing voters to oppose the National Rally, “a social imposture” according to her. The now possible advent of the far right to power is “an existential threat to all of democracy,” she said.
The polls show the National Rally (RN), winner of the European elections with 31.37% of the vote, well in the lead for the legislative elections.
According to a latest study released on Saturday by OpinionWay-Vae Solis for Les Echos and Radio Classique, the RN would be credited with 33% of voting intentions if the first round took place on Sunday, ahead of the “New Popular Front”, a left-wing alliance. (25%), and “Together for the Republic” (presidential majority), credited with 20%.
“A craze for the far-right party as well marked among men as women, which affects all age groups and socio-professional statuses”, notes the institute, which carried out this online survey on 12 and June 13 with 1,011 people, before “the legislative contract” sealed by La France insoumise (LFI), the Socialist Party (PS), Europe Ecologie-Les Verts (EELV) and the Communist Party (PCF).
“Against the extreme right, in the streets and at the ballot boxes,” could be read in the Parisian demonstration on a banner from SOS Racisme, an association founded in 1984 to fight against racism and anti-Semitism.
Several civil society organizations were represented, as well as youth, who came in large numbers, with blunt slogans such as “Youth piss off the National Front” (ancestor of the RN), or “Fuck the R-hate”.
“LIES”
Carol-Ann Juste, 22, a student in Paris, demonstrated for the first time.
“Here, we are at a political turning point, we are worried to see the demonization of the RN, to see that people are joining and listening to the lies of this party which has a purely racist and xenophobic heritage,” she explained. in the Parisian procession.
“We come to fight to maintain a country of human rights, a welcoming country, of freedom, of tolerance, of kindness,” she added.
On the Place de la Bastille, three activists mounted on the July Column unfurled a banner reading: “We take a solemn oath to remain united to disarm Macron and the far right”, at the hour where the “New Popular Front” is already shaken by internal struggles.
LFI’s decision not to reinvest for the legislative elections party figures deemed too critical of its leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, was criticized in the processions, where the latter was asked to “not screw up everything on the ground” barely the wedding ring carried on the baptismal font.
The leaders of the “New Popular Front” marched in Paris, as well as the ousted LFI executives.
“Things are very simple today, it’s either the ‘fascists’ or us. If you’re here, it’s because you’ve chosen your side. But now, it’s everyone else who needs to be go and find: those who are tired of voting, those who don’t know, those who are afraid”, launched Marine Tondelier, national secretary of EELV.
“It seems important to me to show that we are mobilized and that the RN is not the majority, and also to oppose Emmanuel Macron and his policies which have greatly weakened the school”, testifies Cécilia Lormeau, professor 34 years old, who plans to vote for the New Popular Front.
“We will end up with conservative reforms, which are contrary to equality. I am worried about my students from immigrant backgrounds, with disabilities. We want all students to succeed,” she adds. .
Amadou Sall, a 25-year-old Mauritanian national waiting for his residence permit who works in parcel preparation, fears for his future, “when I see how they (the RN) talk about foreigners”.
(Reporting Layli Foroudi, Ardee Napolitano, Lucien Libert, Dominique Vidalon)
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