A very political May Day. Like every year, unions and associations called for mobilization this Sunday morning. A special international workers’ day this year, since it falls a week after the re-election of Emmanuel Macron.
Hundreds of processions were planned throughout France. In Berry, the demonstrators marched in a good-natured atmosphere in Bourges, Saint-Amand-Montrond, Saint-Florent and Issoudun. In Châteauroux, there were nearly 300 from Republic Square. The traditional May Day demonstration took on a very political color.
Concern after the re-election of Emmanuel Macron
Like every first of May, Annabelle is in the street. This mom worries about her daughter’s working conditionsemployed in an IME, a medico-educational institute. “The conditions are appalling, shabby, it’s trying to work in an IMEshe assures. I expect our leaders to finally consider youth and give them prospects for the future.”.
Elorah is precisely one of these young workers. After Emmanuel Macron’s re-election, the 23-year-old has a message for the head of state: retirement at 65 is no ! “There have nevertheless been demonstrations against the pension reform, I hope that the government will take this into account because working until the age of 65, I, personally, do not want it”says Elorah.
“We will have to mount a fairly strong opposition”
Emmanuel Macron’s re-election is on everyone’s lips. Nicolas, intermittent entertainment, has already felt forgotten during the presidential campaign. He has no confidence for the next 5 years. “Culture, we don’t talk about it too muchhe blurts out. We had Roselyne Bachelot, I wonder who we will have after. Anyway, with the war in Ukraine, I think the budget for culture will be increased less than that for the army”.
– Justine Claux
Behind this protester, the flags of the CGT fly over the procession. The union is also present to remind you that it will be there to to oppose the policy of the Head of Statethroughout his term of office. “We will have to show a strong enough opposition to prevent Emmanuel Macron from doing everything he wants to do, in relation to pensions, social damagesays Laurent Joyeux, CGT delegate. In fact, everything he has already done for five years and wants to amplify for the next five years”.
In the sights of the demonstrators also: the legislative elections and the shared hope of a victory for the left.