May Day in France returns to pre-coronavirus form
Ramin Mazaheri
Press TV, Paris
Workers around the world united in solidarity with each other on the first of May, as they do every year. In France, a disappointing presidential campaign resulted in many activists choosing to focus on larger, international issues.
International Workers’ Day was observed in France with hundreds of marches nationwide, as leftists of all hues united to celebrate equality, solidarity, and worker empowerment.
In 2020 and 2021, May Day was muted, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic. The celebration is back to full strength this year, and many marchers have an added reason to be politically active - the recent re-election of Emmanuel Macron following a campaign dominated by the far-right.
Economic stagnation, record inflation, a bitter election campaign with results few are genuinely happy about - many believe some changes are coming for France.
The French left is in the middle of perhaps a major reconstitution: the communists, greens, and socialists are deciding whether or not to join forces behind Jean-Luc Melenchon, who finished third in the presidential race.
Should they unite for the June legislative elections, they could deny Macron absolute control of parliament, and thus drastically change his plans for his second term.
Unions, notably quiet during the presidential campaign, were out in big numbers, though far from records. Police, normally elbow-to-elbow with protesters at Yellow Vest demonstrations, gave marchers plenty of room, with few serious confrontations being reported.
May Day 2019 is often considered the end of the major Yellow Vest demonstrations. Hundreds of arrests, unwarranted searches starting from a 150-kilometre radius around Paris and massive police violence gutted the average person’s willingness to join six months of enormous anti-government protests.
Pres. Raeisi says Iran, Pakistan resolved to boost ties on all levels
Syrian, Palestinian officials hail Iran's operation against Israel
French ban on anti-Islamophobia protest fails amid mounting state repression
Ukraine launches drone strikes on Russia's energy sites
VIDEO | Anti-US sentiments grow in Iraq as US military presence unresolved
Jamaica officially recognizes state of Palestine
Raeisi attends inauguration of Iran-built mage multipurpose project in Sri Lanka
'Sinwar still supervising Gaza war; Israel deliberately delaying talks on captives'
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
UK's Rwanda deportation plan morally disgraceful
VIDEO | Raeisi inaugurates Iranian-built mega multipurpose project in Sri Lanka
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
