In Poitiers, a May 1st to fight against the extreme right

The rain came to the demonstration on 1^er May in Poitiers. Despite this, between 1,000 and 1,500 people gathered at 10:30 a.m. on the square in front of Poitiers station for a march which took place peacefully. Obviously, the figures are not as impressive as those for 2023, at a time when the contestation of pension reform was at the center of the news. “I have already known 1^er Rainy May where there were a lot fewer people”rejoiced the departmental secretary of the CGT, Julien Hémon.

The fight against the far right at the center of the march

This year, the march was directed against the rise of the far right. “Of course it worries us, explains Christophe Rabusssier, departmental secretary of the CFDT. We saw that, in all the countries where the extreme right was in power, unions no longer had any place. »

At a time when in the polls, the National Rally list is credited with more than 30% of voting intentions for the European elections of June 9, 2024, the situation worries the marchers present. “If the extreme right comes to govern, it’s a disaster, assures Fabien. I am an educator for young migrants. If they pass, I already know our funds will be almost cut off. »

At the back of the procession, the Poitiers Palestine association joined the movement. “We have always marched with the unions for the 1^er May, explains Sylvette Rougier, president of the association. In Palestine too, there are workers who suffer. You have to be there for them. »

Concerts at Place Leclerc canceled by the weather

The walkers went up Boulevard Solférino, passed in front of the prefecture before going up towards Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville.

Concerts were planned on Place Leclerc after the demonstration. They had to be canceled by rain. But the unions fell back on the bar L’Envers du bocal to continue the afternoon in a festive tone.