Trade unionists, association activists, members of left-wing parties: it was a motley procession that set off from Place de la République in Paris, shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Sunday May 1, to reach Place de la Nation, under slogans hostile to the Head of State and in favor of an increase in purchasing power.

"Always more misery and nothing for wages, we don't want this company", shouts the sound system installed on the roof of the CGT truck, while hordes of multicolored flags invade the streets of the capital. bathed in the rays of the sun.

The procession has just left Place de la République to reach Place de la Nation @FRANCE24 #1ermai2022 pic.twitter.com/4oMIwENZzB

– Grégoire Sauvage (@GregSauvage) May 1, 2022

Among the slogans: "Faced with Macron, let's build the counter-offensive", "zero police, more justice and medical personnel", or even "be able to fill your fridge with dignity".

In front of the processions of the inter-union CGT-Unsa-FSU-Solidaires, several groups of very reassembled yellow vests launch their rallying cries: "even if Macron does not want, we are here", under the watchful eye of the service of order of the CGT.

Several dozen Yellow Vests took position in front of the trade union parade to make their voices heard #1ermai2022 @FRANCE24 pic.twitter.com/KFjjBEBX4N

– Grégoire Sauvage (@GregSauvage) May 1, 2022

“We are waiting for things to change and for the state to respond to our demands on salaries and retirement pensions,” explains Cheikhou Ba.

"The government must truly negotiate with the social partners", pleads this local representative of the CGT in Seine-Saint Denis.

“We are waiting for the future government to respond to our demands on salaries and pensions”, explains Cheikhou Ba of the CGT @FRANCE24 # 1ermai2022 pic.twitter.com/NBVNoxorzx

– Grégoire Sauvage (@GregSauvage) May 1, 2022

"Personally, I don't expect anything from this government," says Nathan, an activist from Lutte Ouvrière.

"We will have to continue to mobilize, to go out in the street and to strike because what is happening is unacceptable."

At the heart of the demands, pension reform.

Between the two rounds of the presidential campaign, Emmanuel Macron had pleaded for a decline in the legal retirement age to 64 in 2028, or even 65, against 62 currently.

“Making people work longer will create even more unemployment”, assures Gérard Gourguechon, 82, retired from the public service, who has not missed a single parade on May 1 for almost half a year. century.

"If the old people continue to work, their children will not find work. We are told that it is because we live longer, but it is nonsense because today, the workers are much more productive than 30 years ago".

“Making people work longer will create even more unemployment”, assures Gérard Gourguechon, retired from the Public Service @FRANCE24 #1ermai pic.twitter.com/vpWhwZg5Hn

– Grégoire Sauvage (@GregSauvage) May 1, 2022

Social temperature on the rise

For the unions, this May 1 was a crucial test to take the social temperature a week after the re-election of Emmanuel Macron.

"If we talk about temperature, today the weather is very nice, and it is starting to get hot. And if we are not listened to in the next five years, yes, it will heat up", warns Yves Veyrier, the secretary general of working force.

"The unions must be heard. The presidential election is not a referendum or plebiscite on raising the retirement age."

Same sound on the side of Philippe Martinez, the boss of the CGT, according to whom the mobilization must be amplified.

"I believe that the only way to change course for a future government and clear the ears of the President of the Republic are strikes in companies and services", assures the union leader.

Beyond pensions, the question of purchasing power is on everyone's lips on this workers' day, while inflation is rising inexorably in France, to +4.8% in April according to INSEE .

"Whether in hospitals, in schools, in the entire public service, and even in the private sector with restaurateurs, we can no longer recruit because the salaries are too low", affirms Benoît Teste, the secretary general of the FSU.

“We can no longer recruit because the salaries are too low”, explains Benoît Teste, the secretary general of the FSU @France24_fr # 1ermai2022 pic.twitter.com/IcvMExV6Yz

– Grégoire Sauvage (@GregSauvage) May 1, 2022

In France, the purchasing power of minimum wage workers is protected by an automatic revaluation mechanism.

Under the effect of inflation, the minimum wage has been raised to 1,300 euros net per month, but the unions are demanding a much larger increase.

Third round social

This 1st of May also had a particular meaning for the left, present in dispersed order in the context of difficult negotiations to reach an agreement for the legislative elections.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon (LFI), who spoke on a platform when the Parisian procession was moving, or Olivier Faure (PS) were at the rendezvous.

"It's progressing, be sure that we are doing everything in our power to make it move forward," assured Jean-Luc Mélenchon, cheered by the demonstrators on his arrival at Place de la République in Paris.

"The subject is whether or not we are aiming for victory."

In the parade, some demonstrators are calling for Emmanuel Macron to be beaten at the polls next June.

"LREM must not once again have the majority", launches Martine, who wears a sign on which is written "it's our turn", in reference to the next legislative elections, a ballot qualified as "third round" by part of the left.

With 21.95% of Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the first round of the presidential election on April 10, LFI has launched bilateral discussions with communists, socialists and environmentalists to find an agreement for a union on the left.

With AFP

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