The CGT hails a significant mobilisation despite a drop in numbers compared with the previous year

The CGT counted ‘more than 200,000’ demonstrators in France, while the Ministry of the Interior recorded 121,000. Despite a slight fall on the previous year, the unions consider the mobilisation to be ‘very satisfactory’, approaching the levels of 2021 and 2022.

The main processions took place in Paris, Lyon and Nantes. In Paris, the Préfecture de Police counted 18,000 participants, compared with 50,000 according to the CGT. In Lyon, between 6,500 (prefecture) and 13,000 (CGT) people marched, with incidents leading to arrests. In Nantes, where there were 3,550 people according to the prefecture, violence was reported.

In Saint-Étienne, the PS candidate in the European elections, Raphaël Glucksmann, was forced to leave the demonstration amid boos. Demands ranged from the fight against austerity to the defence of jobs and wages, as well as calls for peace and a more social Europe.

Tense May Day demonstration

Laurent Nuñez has welcomed the ‘calm’ manner in which the May Day demonstration in Paris went ahead, despite some ‘incidents to be dealt with in the pre-cortege’. The police prefect pointed out that the pre-demonstration, attended by up to 4,500 people, was marked by the presence of ‘troublemakers’, including 500 to 600 very radical elements affiliated mainly to the ultra-left movement. The police were slightly injured, with a new report stating that 13 members were injured.

Diverse demands: While the CGT, FSU and Solidaires, together with youth organisations such as Unef, Fage and MNL, called for a fight ‘against austerity’, for jobs, wages and peace, the CFDT encouraged participation in processions across France to promote a more ambitious Europe that protects workers.