France Steels for Raucous May Day

Rising tide of discontent has many French talking about a revolution
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 1, 2009 3:46 AM CDT
France Steels for Raucous May Day
Protesters hurl smoking flares at police and burn an European Union flag as French fishermen demonstrate in front of the Agriculture Ministry in Paris in May last year.   (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

France's traditional May Day marches are expected to be bigger and angrier than ever today, the BBC reports. Unemployment nearing 10% has swelled the ranks of the discontented. More than 300 rallies are planned across the country to protest the government's handling of the financial crisis. Many accuse President Nicolas Sarkozy of flaunting his wealth in a time of crisis, and some politicians warn that the country  is ripe for revolt.
(More France stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X