Thousands Marched in France to Protest against National Rally Ahead of Upcoming Parliamentary Elections

In a massive show of resistance against the far-right National Rally (RN) party, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Paris and cities across France on Saturday. The protests, which drew an estimated 350,000 participants, were organized by labor unions, student groups, and rights organizations to oppose the anti-immigration and eurosceptic party ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The marches, which took place in at least 150 cities, including Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon, and Lille, were a response to the RN's surge in last Sunday's European elections. In Paris, where 75,000 people turned out, a march set off from Place de La Republique, passing through the Bastille square to Nation. According to the CGT union, 250,000 marched in Paris and 640,000 in total across the country.

Why It Matters : The protests are a significant indicator of the growing concern among the French population about the rise of the far-right party, which has been accused of having a racist heritage. The RN's leader, Jordan Bardella, has been criticized for his anti-immigration stance and eurosceptic views, which many see as a threat to France's values of human rights, freedom, and tolerance.

Speaking at Place de La Republique, hard-left CGT union leader Sophie Binet told reporters, "We are marching because we are extremely worried that Jordan Bardella could become the next Prime Minister... We want to prevent this disaster." Carol-Ann Juste, a 22-year-old student taking part in the Paris march, said she was "worried because people believe the lies of this party that has a truly racist heritage."

The protests come ahead of the snap legislative election, to be held in two rounds on June 30 and July 7, which was called by President Emmanuel Macron after his centrist alliance was trounced by the RN in last Sunday's European Parliament ballot. Opinion polls have projected that the RN could win the election and be in a position to form the next government, sparking concerns among many French citizens.

In Tours, western France, where hundreds of protesters were taking part in a march, a banner read, "For liberties, for rights, for a social and democratic republic, against far-right ideas and against racism." Several banners read, "Young people hate the FN (the RN's former name)," while a pensioner carried a banner that read, "Old people also hate the RN."

Key Takeaway :

• Hundreds of thousands marched across France to protest against the far-right National Rally (RN) party.
• Organized by labor unions, student groups, and rights organizations, the protests opposed the RN's anti-immigration and eurosceptic stance.
• The RN's recent surge in European elections has raised concerns about its racist heritage and eurosceptic views.
• Opinion polls suggest the RN could win the upcoming parliamentary elections and possibly form the next government.
• The protests reflect growing resistance against the RN and its ideology in France.

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