02:24Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Nantes to oppose the surging anti-immigration National Rally (NR) party, as the group took first place in the opening round of the French presidential elections on Sunday.
Footage captures protesters facing off with police, who were seen deploying tear gas. Protesters are also seen watching the results come in and chanting: "We are all antifascists."
"Whatever happens, we will be the resistance. Whatever happens, they shall not pass and they will not trick us," member of Solidaire Labour Union Mathilde Perrache told the crowd.
Footage also features demonstrators marching, holding placards reading 'Tte far right feeds on despair. All united for justice and social progress' and 'what we will not get from the ballots, we will get it from the streets." Chants of "Nantes, Nantes antifa" and "Who owns the street?" could also be heard.
Protests took place across the country after NR topped the polls on Sunday, securing 33.15 per cent of the vote. The left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) came second with 27.99 percent. President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble alliance came third with just 20.76 percent.
Candidates achieving more than 50 percent of the vote in their area were elected - with 37 elected for NR and 32 for the New Popular Front. Those achieving 12.5 percent go forward to the second round on July 7, although candidates often drop out to maximise support for the party best placed to beat their main opponent.
Turnout was 66.7 percent. 289 seats are needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a massive surge for National Rally. The next election was not expected until 2027.
Across the bloc, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups also made significant gains. Many called for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, as well as lower taxes, better border security and an end to foreign military interventions, such as in Ukraine.
Macron has not held a majority in parliament since 2022 and has used executive powers to pass legislation like his pension reforms, which have seen massive protests.
'They shall not pass' - Thousands protest against National Rally in Nantes during first round of French parliamentary elections
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Nantes to oppose the surging anti-immigration National Rally (NR) party, as the group took first place in the opening round of the French presidential elections on Sunday.
Footage captures protesters facing off with police, who were seen deploying tear gas. Protesters are also seen watching the results come in and chanting: "We are all antifascists."
"Whatever happens, we will be the resistance. Whatever happens, they shall not pass and they will not trick us," member of Solidaire Labour Union Mathilde Perrache told the crowd.
Footage also features demonstrators marching, holding placards reading 'Tte far right feeds on despair. All united for justice and social progress' and 'what we will not get from the ballots, we will get it from the streets." Chants of "Nantes, Nantes antifa" and "Who owns the street?" could also be heard.
Protests took place across the country after NR topped the polls on Sunday, securing 33.15 per cent of the vote. The left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) came second with 27.99 percent. President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble alliance came third with just 20.76 percent.
Candidates achieving more than 50 percent of the vote in their area were elected - with 37 elected for NR and 32 for the New Popular Front. Those achieving 12.5 percent go forward to the second round on July 7, although candidates often drop out to maximise support for the party best placed to beat their main opponent.
Turnout was 66.7 percent. 289 seats are needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a massive surge for National Rally. The next election was not expected until 2027.
Across the bloc, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups also made significant gains. Many called for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, as well as lower taxes, better border security and an end to foreign military interventions, such as in Ukraine.
Macron has not held a majority in parliament since 2022 and has used executive powers to pass legislation like his pension reforms, which have seen massive protests.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Nantes to oppose the surging anti-immigration National Rally (NR) party, as the group took first place in the opening round of the French presidential elections on Sunday.
Footage captures protesters facing off with police, who were seen deploying tear gas. Protesters are also seen watching the results come in and chanting: "We are all antifascists."
"Whatever happens, we will be the resistance. Whatever happens, they shall not pass and they will not trick us," member of Solidaire Labour Union Mathilde Perrache told the crowd.
Footage also features demonstrators marching, holding placards reading 'Tte far right feeds on despair. All united for justice and social progress' and 'what we will not get from the ballots, we will get it from the streets." Chants of "Nantes, Nantes antifa" and "Who owns the street?" could also be heard.
Protests took place across the country after NR topped the polls on Sunday, securing 33.15 per cent of the vote. The left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) came second with 27.99 percent. President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble alliance came third with just 20.76 percent.
Candidates achieving more than 50 percent of the vote in their area were elected - with 37 elected for NR and 32 for the New Popular Front. Those achieving 12.5 percent go forward to the second round on July 7, although candidates often drop out to maximise support for the party best placed to beat their main opponent.
Turnout was 66.7 percent. 289 seats are needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a massive surge for National Rally. The next election was not expected until 2027.
Across the bloc, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups also made significant gains. Many called for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, as well as lower taxes, better border security and an end to foreign military interventions, such as in Ukraine.
Macron has not held a majority in parliament since 2022 and has used executive powers to pass legislation like his pension reforms, which have seen massive protests.