Thousands of people demonstrated in Paris on Sunday against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron. Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s Left Party had called for the “march against the expensive life and doing nothing in the climate crisis”. As the French news channel BFMTV reported with reference to the organizers, about 140,000 people are said to have taken to the streets.
Police data on the number of participants was initially not available. A maximum of 30,000 participants were expected. The protest march, secured by about 2,000 police officers, was intended not only as a demonstration of power against Macron, but also to demonstrate the unity of the left against the government.
Left-wing parties, organizations and some trade unions had called for the protest. Former left-wing populist presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon marched – fist raised – next to designated Nobel Prize winner for literature, Annie Ernaux. In addition to Ernaux, about 60 well-known cultural workers had called for the demonstration. About a hundred buses from all over France took the participants to Paris.
In recent months, France’s left has been rocked by headlines about allegations of violence against women within its own ranks. Two party officials from the Left Party and the Greens then resigned.
Mood tense due to lack of fuel
The mood in France has been very tense for days. A strike for more pay for refinery workers, which has been going on for more than two weeks, is causing fuel shortages at about a quarter of the country’s gas stations. At some gas stations, the fuel was sold for three euros per liter.
As a result, concerns are mounting in the Élysée Palace that the situation could lead to protests similar to those of the “yellow vests” in 2018 and 2019. At the time, the increase in fuel taxes sparked extensive social protests.
A day of strikes and protests announced nationwide by unions in late September was only lightly followed. Work stoppages have been announced again for Tuesday (18 October). This time the call could get a bigger response.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
