300,000 French citizens protested against the far-right National Rally party
Protests took place in Paris and Toulouse among other cities
The demonstrations urged voters to block the far-right party from gaining a majority in upcoming parliament elections
On Saturday, French citizens took to the streets in protest against the far-right National Rally party, which has gained significant support in recent elections. Approximately 300,000 people participated in the protests across France, including Paris and Toulouse. The demonstrations urged voters to block the country's far-right party from gaining a majority in the upcoming parliament elections.
The protests come after President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Renew party was defeated by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party in the recent European Union parliamentary elections. In response, Macron dissolved the French parliament and called for snap elections, hoping to garner stronger backing for his remaining three years as president.
The move has been viewed as a major gamble. If the far right gains a majority in the upcoming elections, Macron would effectively become a sitting duck president with a hostile parliament and prime minister. To prevent this outcome, left-wing parties have formed a coalition, putting aside their differences on topics such as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
France's political landscape has been deeply fragmented since its mainstream right and left parties imploded several years ago. This trend is part of a larger movement in Europe, as far-right parties gained significant ground in the recent EU elections.
Approximately 300,000 people participated in the protests across France, including Paris and Toulouse.
The protests urged voters to block the country’s far-right party from gaining a majority in the upcoming parliament elections.
Accuracy
The two-round vote for the parliament elections will take place on June 30 and July 7.
National Rally party made historic gains in European elections last weekend, leading to concerns about a far-right government in France, which would be the first since World War II.
In Paris, tens of thousands gathered in Place de la République and marched through eastern Paris; about 20,000 law enforcement officers were deployed.
Last weekend, President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renew party was defeated by the far-right party of Marine Le Pen in European Union parliamentary elections.
Le Pen’s party received about 32% of the vote, while Macron’s party received 15%.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators protested in France against the rise of the far-right National Rally party.
‘We Need to Unite’: Protests Against the Far Right Are Held Across France - Olivier Faure, the leader of the Socialist Party, addressed the crowd in Paris and warned that 'the extreme right could prevail again in France'.
‘We Need to Unite’: Protests Against the Far Right Are Held Across France - Former President Fran├žois Hollande announced he would run for legislative elections to help prevent the far right from taking power.
‘We Need to Unite’: Protests Against the Far Right Are Held Across France - President Emmanuel Macron announced snap parliamentary elections after his Renaissance party was outperformed by the National Rally party in European Parliament elections.
Accuracy
Approximately 300,000 people participated in the protests across France, including Paris and Toulouse.
The protests urged voters to block the country’s far-right party from gaining a majority in the upcoming parliament elections.
Last weekend, President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renew party was defeated by the far-right party of Marine Le Pen in European Union parliamentary elections.
