On May 1st, opposition forces in France “needed to occupy the ground”
Labor Day is often an opportunity for opposition politicians to assert themselves and capitalize on current discontent. However, the Swiss daily Le Temps describes rallies this year as "lukewarm" and a May Day that "resembled a transitional phase before the major presidential battle."
Whether on the left or the far right, the date of May 1st is always marked with a big red dot on the French political agenda. On the left, the mobilizations are intended to be social but also often as an opportunity to show strong opposition to the government in power on various issues. On the far right, Jean-Marie Le Pen had established the tradition of a tribute to Joan of Arc , a custom abandoned by his daughter Marine because of the very extremist connotation of the event over the years. A gathering ultimately often replaced in the end by large RN meetings to mark the date all the same.
This year, however, May 1st had the feel of a transitional phase before the major presidential battle. This lukewarmness was due to the confusion of the political situation, with an executive without a majority but still slightly stabilized by major international threats. And with parties shaken by the start of the race for the supreme election in 2027.
The context was therefore not favorable to a coup, especially since no opposition file was needed to inflame the date, as in the days of the " yellow vests " or the pension reform. The day was rather marked
Courrier International
