10 injured in Socialist Party, police clash during May Day rally in Paris; 72 held across France

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Four French Socialist Party members and six law enforcement officers were injured during clashes at the International May Day rally in Paris on Thursday, the country’s interior minister said, adding that 72 protesters have also been arrested.

“Unfortunately, some elected members of the Socialist Party were in front of a premises and were attacked. Four of them suffered minor injuries, some from tinnitus and others with burns as firecrackers were thrown at them,” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told BFM TV.

Retailleau "denounced" the "violent" rally, declaring it "absolutely appalling" and "unacceptable."

“There are six minor injuries among the security forces — four gendarmes and two police officers,” he added.

The Interior Ministry also reported 72 arrests, 52 of which were in Paris, and 28 people being held in police custody, 19 of whom are in the capital.

The ministry reported that nearly 157,000 people, including 32,000 in Paris, demonstrated across France, while the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) claimed on X that 300,000 people staged demonstrations across France.