Thousands took to the streets across France to oppose some of Mr Macron’s policies, such as raising the retirement age from 65 to 62, and also to demand higher wages. Most of the marches were peaceful, but violence erupted in the capital as police used tear gas and clashed with black-clad anarchists. Police arrested 54 people, including a woman who attacked a firefighter trying to put out a fire, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter. He added that eight police officers were injured. Protesters try to overturn a cabin as they clash with police in Paris (EPA) The violence first erupted at the beginning of the march near the Place de la République and when it reached the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris. The “Black Bloc” anarchists attacked a McDonald’s in Place Leon Blum and damaged several real estate agencies, breaking their windows and setting fire to buckets. Police responded with tear gas. About 250 rallies were organized in Paris and other cities, such as Lille, Nantes, Toulouse and Marseille. A total of 116,500 people protested across the country, including 24,000 in the capital. A masked protester during the annual May Day demonstration in Paris (EPA) The cost of living has been a major issue in the presidential campaign and looks set to be just as important in the run-up to the June parliamentary elections, which Macron’s party and its allies must win in order to implement their pro-business policies. “It’s important to show Macron and the whole political world that we are ready to stand up for our social rights,” said Joshua Antones, a 19-year-old student. He also accused the president of “inaction” on environmental issues. Protester throws a stone at a cash register outside a bank swept away by protesters in Paris (Getty Images) The demonstrators carried banners reading “Retirement before arthritis”, “Retirement at 60, freezing prices” and “Macron, leave”. “The government must tackle the problem of purchasing power by raising wages,” Philippe Martinez, head of the CGT union, told Reuters before the rally. Macron won a new five-year presidency after defeating far-right challenger Marin Le Pen in the second round last Sunday. Jean-Luc Melanson, who came third in the first round of the presidential election, attended the march in Paris. A protester reacts on the ground as police clash with protesters (AFP via Getty Images) Mr Melanson, who is politically on Macron’s left, wants to form a progressive union, including the Greens, to dominate parliament and force Mr Macron into an awkward “cohabitation”. “We will not make a single concession on pensions,” Mr Melanson said before the march began. He said he still hoped an agreement could be reached on building a new union of the left by Sunday night. Additional Reuters report
