Thousands Hit Streets In France To March Against Far Right Party Ahead Of Parliament Polls

Around 21,000 officers had been mobilised after labour unions, student groups, and rights groups called for rallies to oppose the far-right National Rally (RN).

France is gearing up for the upcoming elections to Parliament, which are slated to take place on June 30. Ahead of the polls, thousands marched in Paris and cities across France on Saturday to protest against the far-right National Rally (RN). After the RN's surge in the European elections held last Sunday, police claimed that around 350,000 people were expected to march, as reported by news agency Reuters. 

According to the news agency, 21,000 officers had been mobilised after labour unions, student groups, and rights groups called for rallies to oppose the party. At least 150 marches were expected in cities including Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon and Lille.

In Paris, where according to the police, 75,000 people came out, a march set off from Place de La Republique, in the east, going through the Bastille square to Nation.

According to the CGT union, around 250,000 people marched in Paris and 640,000 in total across the country, Reuters reported, citing BFM TV. The police said they had arrested seven people in Paris. The police said there had been 217,000 demonstrators across France.

Speaking at Place de La Republique, hard-left CGT union leader Sophie Binet told reporters, "We are marching because we are extremely worried that (the RN's head) Jordan Bardella could become the next Prime Minister ... We want to prevent this disaster," as quoted by Reuters.

Meanwhile, the former socialist president of France, Francois Hollande, said on Saturday that he would run for parliament again, as reported by news agency AFP.

Earlier in the month, French President Emmanuel Macron said that he will dissolve the Parliament and hold snap elections, following his party's clear defeat by the far-right National Rally in European Parliament elections earlier in the day. Elections to the National Assembly are to take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7, Macron added.

He said the challenges faced by France required clarity and the people deserved respect. "At the end of this day, therefore, I cannot pretend that nothing has happened," he added.