After the riots in May demonstrations in Paris, France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin condemned the violence.
There had been riots at the rally, shop windows of banks, real estate businesses and insurance companies were broken. The police used tear gas and water cannons against the demonstrators, and fifty-four people were arrested across the country.
In a tweet, Darmanin called the violent protesters who clashed with police “rioters.” He praised the efforts of the officials, whom he described as “guarantors of freedom of demonstration and public order”.
Unions had called rallies in numerous French cities to take action against rising living costs and the government’s plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 65.
The 250 registered demonstrations were largely peaceful. Tens of thousands of people are said to have taken part in the nationwide demonstrations.
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