Q: Clashes with police during an anti-rightist demonstration

At a march against the populist right-wing French National Rally party in the city of Rennes, demonstrators clashed violently with police.

According to authorities, about 1,500 people participated in the protest organized by unions last night. The demonstration was halted early when young demonstrators attacked emergency services with bottles and other objects. The police used tear gas.

Several arrests

The governorate told Agence France-Presse that seven demonstrators were arrested. The collisions caused “minor damage.” Fabrice Le Restif, secretary-general of the trade union in the department of Ile and Vaillant, said the aim of the demonstration was to send a signal “against reactionary, racist and anti-Semitic ideas and against those who represent them.”

The National Front clearly won the European elections on 9 June with 31.5% of the vote. In response, President Emmanuel Macron abruptly dissolved the National Assembly and called new elections.

According to polls, the National Front could also achieve a similar result in the parliamentary elections as in the European elections. This would make the party the strongest force in parliament, and perhaps even appoint the prime minister.