May 1 promises to be hot. While the highly contested pension reform has been adopted, the traditional Labor Day parades will turn into a real platform for opponents of the reform. Everywhere in France, demonstrations are announced to make heard the opposition of the street to the extension of the retirement age. After a few days of calm where the pans still resounded, the authorities fear overflows in the processions.
Invited this Friday morning on Europe 1, the Minister of the Interior promised an “unprecedented” mobilization of the police to secure the demonstrations, especially in certain cities where overflows are frequent. “There may be a certain number of radical individuals who have met in Paris, Nantes and Rennes. This is why we have mobilized an unprecedented number of police and gendarmes. »
Gérald Darmanin has already announced “four mobile force units” for each of the cities of Nantes and Rennes. “We are giving ourselves all the means to make the events go as smoothly as possible. The instruction that I gave to the prefect is to protect the demonstrators and to challenge the troublemakers, ”added the minister.
Two demonstrations already announced in Rennes
In Paris, the procession will set off from Place de la République at 2:30 p.m. and head for Place de la Nation. In Nantes, the gathering is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. from the Nefs.
In Rennes, a first parade is announced at 10 a.m. from Place du Gast, in the popular district of Maurepas. A traditional choice to leave the city center for the May Day parades. But the Sud Solidaires union announces a second rally at 2 p.m. Place de Bretagne. Calls to occupy city squares all day and all night are also circulating on social networks.