French protests turn violent: Police clash with far right opponents

Opponents of the French right wing took to the streets. The protesters initially gathered at the Place de la République. However, the demonstration spread through the streets and became aggressive. The police intervened.

A crowd of thousands at the Place de la République chanted slogans against the far-right National Rally (RN) and its leader, Jordan Bardella. Politicians from the left-wing New People's Front (NFP)—a pre-election alliance combining socialists, communists, Greens, and the far-left Unsubmissive France (LFI)—were expected at the square.

Then, the demonstrators began destroying store windows and setting street fires. The police intervened, and clashes occurred with the officers.

The French Ministry of the Interior reported on Monday that in the first round of parliamentary elections, the far-right National Rally and its allies received 33.2% of the votes, the left-wing New People's Front received 28%, the centrist camp of President Emmanuel Macron received 20%, and the right-wing Republicans received 6.6%. The parties centered around President Emmanuel Macron came in third place, with an estimated support forecast of 21%. The second round of elections will be held on July 7.