Traditional Labour Day protests that usually see thousands of demonstrators on streets were cancelled this year due to the virus outbreak that has killed more than 24,000 people across France. "May 11 will not be the passage to normal life. There will be a recovery that will need to be reorganised," Macron said in a speech at the presidential palace after a meeting with horticulturists.
"There will be several phases and May 11 will be one of them," the president added. Unions organised online activities for Labour Day, and asked people to bang pans and put out banners on their balconies to mark the day. Police disbanded a small protest in central Paris. It was in stark contrast to this time last year when tens of thousands of labour union and "yellow vest" protesters were on the streets across France demonstrating against Macron's policies.
The protests were marred after dozens of masked and hooded anarchists clashed with riot police. Macron, in a message on his Twitter account, lauded the traditional parades and French workers, urging unity and solidarity during these tough times. -Full Report
Pope Francis And Emmanuel Macron Meet For 57 minutes
