Thousands of protesters and celebraters flooded the streets of Paris on Sunday as French election results began to be announced.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation on Sunday after a coalition of far-left parties, unexpectedly formed before the start of general elections, came close to winning a majority in the French parliament.
Tens of thousands of left-wing demonstrators gathered in Paris’ Place de la Republique on Sunday night to celebrate the news, with Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition expected to come in second.
The result was a major upset for France’s conservatives, who had hoped that Marine Le Pen’s National Rally would take power.
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Riots broke out in Paris as the election results began to be announced. (Reuters)
Footage on social media showed authorities in riot gear confronting protesters and large bonfires being set in the streets of Paris.
Tear gas was fired as rowdy protesters were arrested, and protesters were also recorded throwing Molotov cocktails and exploding smoke bombs in the streets.
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Protesters, apparently in support of France’s left-wing coalition, lit bonfires and threw Molotov cocktails. (Reuters)
The left-wing coalition, known as the Popular Front, is made up of the French Socialist Party, the French Communist Party, a green party called the Environmentalists, and Unbowed France.
The coalition has promised to take several steps if it wins the election, including repealing Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms and working towards establishing a “right to retirement” at 60.
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French police wore riot gear while dealing with the protests. (Reuters)
The coalition government also promises to raise civil servant pay, introduce a wealth tax and increase France’s minimum wage.
Reuters and Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
