Incidents in Paris
In Paris, numerous clashes have pitted the police against very mobile groups of young people dressed in black.
According to an AFP journalist, about twenty signs, mostly McDonald's, insurers, real estate agencies or banks, were damaged by "thugs", according to the terminology used by the Minister of the Interior.
They also threw projectiles at the police, who tried to disperse them with tear gas.
The facade of a CIC branch damaged on the sidelines of the May Day parade in Paris Alain JOCARD AFP
Throughout France, tens of thousands of people marched, most often without incident, in a very political context after the re-election on April 24 of President Emmanuel Macron, against the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.
Numerous arrests in Istanbul
Dozens of people were arrested in Istanbul, six days after the convictions of patron Osman Kavala and seven members of civil society accused of wanting to overthrow the regime.
A protester arrested by the police during the demonstrations of May Day 2022 in Istanbul OZAN KOSE AFP
The governor's services reported the arrest of 164 people who wanted to join the famous Taksim Square, the epicenter of the major anti-government protests of 2013, closed to traffic and parades.
Boos for the South African president
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has left May Day celebrations in a hurry after angry miners invaded the stage he was scheduled to speak on at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg (north).
The protesters, who chanted "Cyril must leave", demanded an increase in wages.
Calls for the resignation of the Sri Lankan president
In Sri Lanka, affected by a violent economic crisis, the opposition demanded in unison the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, during massive rallies.
"Go home Gota", chanted tens of thousands of activists in Colombo.
Vast demonstration in Sri Lanka, affected by a violent economic crisis and where the opposition is demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on May 1, 2022 in Colombo - AFP
Months of power outages, runaway inflation and severe shortages of food, fuel and pharmaceuticals have sparked widespread anti-Rajapaksa protests since mid-March.
Purchasing power, the watchword in Athens
Thousands of people demonstrated in Athens, demanding more measures to support purchasing power, in the face of inflation which reached 9.4% in April in Greece.
Thousands of people demonstrate in Athens, demanding more measures to support purchasing power, May 1, 2022 ARIS MESSINIS AFP
If the minimum wage was increased on May 1 by 50 euros, to 713 euros monthly, this measure is considered insufficient by the unions, who are demanding 825 euros.
... to Madrid
In Madrid, they were about 10,000 demonstrators, according to a government spokesman, marching to demand wage increases and measures against inflation.
A large banner claimed: "May Day. The solution: Raise wages, contain prices and expand equality."
Demonstration in Madrid to demand wage increases and measures against inflation, May 1, 2022 GABRIEL BOUYS AFP
Other demonstrations took place across Spain and in Andorra, where the rise in the cost of living, the price of housing and the loss of purchasing power were also at the center of the demands.
... and in Argentina
Two large rallies are planned in Buenos Aires: one of groups close to the government, to express their support for the current policy, while advocating for a more pronounced social focus in the face of inflation, and the other of organizations to the left of power to express their opposition to the repayment of the debt to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and to demand a radical social shift.
Working for Peace" in Italy
In Italy, the main trade union confederations had called for a rally in Assisi (center), city of Saint Francis, patron saint of Italy, on the theme "Working for peace" in the context of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
"We must absolutely work to put an end to this absurd war, wanted by Putin", declared the leader of the Cgil union, Maurizio Landini, in front of several hundred activists.
Egg throw in Berlin
Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey was speaking at a rally in Berlin, attended by 7,500 people according to media reports, when a protester threw an egg at her.
Her security service was able to protect her with an umbrella.
Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey is the target of an egg throw as she delivers a speech at a rally in Berlin on May 1, 2022 Tobias SCHWARZ AFP
Somewhere else
Several thousand people also marched in London, at the call of unions and environmental or societal organizations, such as Black Lives Matter (Black lives matter).
In Cuba, at the call of the government, hundreds of thousands of Cubans, wearing masks, marched in the main cities, at a time when the island is facing serious shortages and rising prices.
After two years of confinement linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the communist government had called on workers to participate in these parades, organizing bus transport.
The rally took place in Havana in the presence of President Miguel Diaz-Canel and revolutionary leader Raul Castro.
© 2022 AFP