France Hit by Mass Protests Amid Presidential Election - Videos

The first round of presidential elections in France was held on Sunday, and the second is set for 24 April because no candidate gained a simple majority. As 97% of the vote has been counted, President Emmanuel Macron and head of the National Rally Marine Le Pen are heading to the second round, getting 27.6% and 23.4% respectively.

Tensions are flaring up in France amid the presidential race, with people taking to the streets and holding demonstrations in support of their candidates or protesting against their rivals.

In the city of Rennes, Brittany, several rallies took place, resulting in clashes and arson. While some protesters backed Le Pen, Antifa groups marched through the city, chanting slogans against both leading candidates.

Demonstration against Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen this evening at #Rennes following the announcement of the results of the first round. Demonstrators erect barricades in the city center.
#presidentielles2022 #1erTour pic.twitter.com/LvYDf2sWTe

— Protest News (@ProtestNews_EN) April 11, 2022

Plusieurs centaines de personnes manifestent à #Rennes contre Emmanuel Macron et Marine Le Pen suite à l'annonce des résultats du 1er tour de l'élection présidentielle. (Le Reporter Indépendant) #presidentielles2022 #1erTour pic.twitter.com/E1mIlaKWjA

— Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) April 10, 2022

#Rennes #France
A group of approximately 500 gathered to demonstrate the presidential election results; with some individuals setting fires and causing property damage.
pic.twitter.com/3oiSWuV8dC

— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) April 10, 2022

Antifa rioting in parts of France, this is Rennes tonight as a bank is targeted, they're angry because Le Pen and Macron are the ones going through to the second election round, and they don't like either 🤷🏻‍♂ pic.twitter.com/Ag0YvSI7rb

— BBlues60 (@BBlues60) April 11, 2022

Protests against Macron and Marine Le Pen tonight in Rennes following the announcement of the results of the first round of the French presidential election. #electionpresidentielle2022 #France #Election2022 #France #KurdsatNews pic.twitter.com/RACHEQsQQT

— KurdSat English (@KurdsatEnglish) April 10, 2022

Tous contre #Macron | La marche de l’empêchement à Paris

Vidéo complète 👉 https://t.co/ojJ9xJK2t5 pic.twitter.com/pCnTDUPVuQ

— NTD Français (@NTDTVFrance) April 10, 2022

Rallies have been occurring in other cities around the country as well.

Anti Macron protest in Lyon France pic.twitter.com/aJtPIS9onc

— Winnie (@winnie_LaLisa) April 11, 2022

#France by adding elections, there are protests demanding to leave the #EuropeanUnion #paris #Marseille pic.twitter.com/r0QB9Bjs3U

— エコーニュース (@WORLDAFRIQA) April 10, 2022