\n<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, some 13,000 people joined a rally against the hard-right National Rally (RN) party in the north-central city of Orl\u00e9ans, which proceeded peacefully.<\/p>\n
The recent unrest has played out against a backdrop of a polarised political landscape, with France preparing for what could be the most divisive election period in a generation.<\/p>\n
Macron will leave office next spring and polls suggest French voters will ultimately face a choice between RN’s candidate Marine Le Pen and that of the radical-left La France Insoumise (France Unbowed).<\/p>\n
Leading figures from both parties have levelled the blame for the disorder at Macron, though right-wing figures have also heaped criticism on rioters while left-wing leaders support the union-led protests.<\/p>\n
LFI candidate Jean-Luc M\u00e9lenchon said French media had not covered the peaceful protests while police had created “a setup deliberately designed to provoke chaos” that had “mutilated two people”.<\/p>\n
Mass protests triggered by similar issues as in France also rocked several other European cities on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In Barcelona, more than 120 people were arrested after a student protest descended into what local authorities described as “gratuitous violence”. <\/p>\n
In Albania’s capital Tirana, riot police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of anti-government demonstrators, while clashes were also reported in Belgium’s capital Brussels.<\/p>\n
In Milan, northern Italy, a major security operation including hundreds of soldiers alongside police prevented protesters gathering in the city. Many had feared a repeat of violent scenes last week when some started fires, smashed windows and looted shops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n