02:31Thousands of protesters descended on Place de la Republique in Paris on Thursday, to rally against nationalist politics and the right-wing surge ahead of the first round of France's legislative elections.
"It's clear that he [Macron] has contributed to the division of French society and the situation is really problematic," said Frederic.
Footage shows large crowds waving trade union flags while holding banners and placards bearing slogans such as, 'Vote for human rights' and 'Freedom is non-negotiable'. Several activists also addressed the rally.
"When you hear the Prime Minister say 'Order, Authority, Nation'... it's reminiscent of Vichy! Today, there's anger against the government, and it's being expressed in the wrong way, but that doesn't mean the fight will stop," one protester said.
"You can't blame everyone who votes for the far right. They have their reasons, and certain ideas have been put into their heads. I hope with all my heart that all those who have gone to the extreme right for their own reasons will come back where they belong," added a second.
Around 20 trade unions and collectives called for the rally, which came after President Emmanuel Macron called for snap parliamentary elections following a crushing defeat of his centrist alliance against right-wing parties in the European elections.
Across the EU, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups made large gains on platforms calling for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, and against military interventions in countries like Ukraine.
The French head of state defended his decision to call the vote, saying it was 'the heaviest, the most serious, but the most responsible' solution. A recent poll sees Marine Le Pen's RN and its allies leading the first round of the election with 35.5%, the New Popular Front (NPF) in second place with 29.5% of the vote, and Macron's alliance ranked third at 19.5%.
The French are set to cast their ballots in two rounds, on June 30 and July 7.
Macron is responsible for the divisions! - Thousands join Paris rally against nationalist surge ahead of elections
Thousands of protesters descended on Place de la Republique in Paris on Thursday, to rally against nationalist politics and the right-wing surge ahead of the first round of France's legislative elections.
"It's clear that he [Macron] has contributed to the division of French society and the situation is really problematic," said Frederic.
Footage shows large crowds waving trade union flags while holding banners and placards bearing slogans such as, 'Vote for human rights' and 'Freedom is non-negotiable'. Several activists also addressed the rally.
"When you hear the Prime Minister say 'Order, Authority, Nation'... it's reminiscent of Vichy! Today, there's anger against the government, and it's being expressed in the wrong way, but that doesn't mean the fight will stop," one protester said.
"You can't blame everyone who votes for the far right. They have their reasons, and certain ideas have been put into their heads. I hope with all my heart that all those who have gone to the extreme right for their own reasons will come back where they belong," added a second.
Around 20 trade unions and collectives called for the rally, which came after President Emmanuel Macron called for snap parliamentary elections following a crushing defeat of his centrist alliance against right-wing parties in the European elections.
Across the EU, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups made large gains on platforms calling for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, and against military interventions in countries like Ukraine.
The French head of state defended his decision to call the vote, saying it was 'the heaviest, the most serious, but the most responsible' solution. A recent poll sees Marine Le Pen's RN and its allies leading the first round of the election with 35.5%, the New Popular Front (NPF) in second place with 29.5% of the vote, and Macron's alliance ranked third at 19.5%.
The French are set to cast their ballots in two rounds, on June 30 and July 7.
Thousands of protesters descended on Place de la Republique in Paris on Thursday, to rally against nationalist politics and the right-wing surge ahead of the first round of France's legislative elections.
"It's clear that he [Macron] has contributed to the division of French society and the situation is really problematic," said Frederic.
Footage shows large crowds waving trade union flags while holding banners and placards bearing slogans such as, 'Vote for human rights' and 'Freedom is non-negotiable'. Several activists also addressed the rally.
"When you hear the Prime Minister say 'Order, Authority, Nation'... it's reminiscent of Vichy! Today, there's anger against the government, and it's being expressed in the wrong way, but that doesn't mean the fight will stop," one protester said.
"You can't blame everyone who votes for the far right. They have their reasons, and certain ideas have been put into their heads. I hope with all my heart that all those who have gone to the extreme right for their own reasons will come back where they belong," added a second.
Around 20 trade unions and collectives called for the rally, which came after President Emmanuel Macron called for snap parliamentary elections following a crushing defeat of his centrist alliance against right-wing parties in the European elections.
Across the EU, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups made large gains on platforms calling for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, and against military interventions in countries like Ukraine.
The French head of state defended his decision to call the vote, saying it was 'the heaviest, the most serious, but the most responsible' solution. A recent poll sees Marine Le Pen's RN and its allies leading the first round of the election with 35.5%, the New Popular Front (NPF) in second place with 29.5% of the vote, and Macron's alliance ranked third at 19.5%.
The French are set to cast their ballots in two rounds, on June 30 and July 7.