Demonstrations and riots erupt immediately after the results of the first round of the French elections were announced
Radio France Bleu reported that a spontaneous demonstrations in the center of the municipality of Rennes in the French region of Brittany was accompanied by acts of vandalism.
The protesters opposed the current President Emmanuel Macron and the candidate of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen, from entering the second round of the presidential elections.
About 600 people gathered in Sainte-Anne’s Square in the historic center of the municipality. It is noteworthy that the procedure was not agreed with the city authorities.
When it got dark, the demonstrators lit a large fire in the middle of the square. Litter boxes and construction barriers were blown into the fire. Bank and shop windows have been smashed and painted. Even the police commission building on Benoy Street was damaged, and protesters set red torches in front of the town hall. They chanted slogans against Macron and Le Pen.
Also, in front of the government building, they defiantly burned pieces of paper resembling ballot papers. There were no reports of clashes with the police so far.
The first round of the French presidential elections took place on April 10. According to preliminary data, the turnout was about 75%. With 65% of the votes counted, Macron leads with 27.03%. The second round is scheduled for April 24.
