French election: Left alliance ahead – serious riots in Paris

Rallies following the parliamentary elections in France have led to serious riots and clashes between demonstrators and the police in Paris and other cities. In Paris, thousands of people gathered on the Place de la République in the center of the capital to celebrate the victory of the left-wing alliance in the early elections. According to media reports, some of the demonstrators clashed with the police, who then used tear gas. Wooden barricades were set on fire.

In the centre of Paris, many shops and banks had secured their windows with wooden boards on election day in anticipation of riots. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin had mobilised 30,000 officers for election day to prevent possible riots. 5,000 of them were to be deployed in Paris and the suburbs alone.

French election: 30,000 police officers deployed

Clashes between anti-fascists and the police were also reported in Lille in northern France. Here, too, the police used tear gas against the people. In Rennes in western France, according to media reports, 25 people were arrested after riot police used tear gas against left-wing demonstrators who had chanted, among other things, “Everyone hates the police.” In Nantes, a police officer was injured by a Molotov cocktail, according to a report in the local newspaper. Demonstrators threw fireworks at the security forces, who in turn used tear gas.

In France’s second-largest city, Marseille, large numbers of people also gathered in the city center to celebrate the left’s election victory. The police initially held back while the demonstrators shouted slogans against right-wing media.