Activists rallied across the globe on Thursday to mark May Day. In Paris, scuffles broke out as black-clad protesters targeted Socialist Party members. In Istanbul, police arrested more than 400 people amid a heavy crackdown on demonstrations. Read our liveblog to see how the day’s events unfolded.
This liveblog is no longer being updated. To keep up with the latest news, follow us on France24.com/en.
'We will not back down in the face of political violence' says French interior minister after clashes erupt in May Day march
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said police had intervened in Paris to secure the area and made arrests after an incident during a May Day march.
"In Paris, a Socialist Party office was targeted by projectiles thrown by particularly hostile and violent protesters who attacked party activists," he wrote on X. “I want to express my full support to the assaulted activists.”
“We will not back down in the face of political violence that the far left is trying to impose in our country”, he added.
300,000 rally across France for May 1, union says
Rallies across France for International Workers' Day drew more than 300,000, including 100,000 in Paris, the CGT trade union said.
The authorities were yet to give a figure for the May Day marches' turnout.
French MP Boris Vallaud condemns 'serious violence' against Socialist Party members at May Day march
Socialist Party parliamentary leader Boris Vallaud condemned what he described as “serious and unacceptable violence” against party activists and officials during a May Day march in Paris, vowing to take legal action.
“Serious and unacceptable violence. These agitators are enemies of workers and of the left. Full support to the injured comrades,” Vallaud wrote on X, saying he would refer the matter to the public prosecutor.
According to journalists on the scene, a group of protesters dressed in black, some carrying antifascist flags, confronted and shoved Socialist Party officials and activists stationed at a stall along the demonstration route.
“Everyone hates the Socialist Party,” some of the protesters shouted.
Workers worldwide rally for rights and social justice on May Day
'Not normal': 12 million in France to miss out on fresh baguettes as bakeries close for May Day
Around 12 million people in France, locals and tourists included, will go without fresh baguettes and croissants on May 1 as bakeries are not allowed to open, the head of the National Confederation of Bakery and Pastry lamented on Thursday.
“Of course I don’t think it’s normal, especially since we thought we were considered essential, like the press and other professions,” said Dominique Anract, president of the confederation.
Tunisia protesters demand freedom for jailed opposition
Hundreds of Tunisians took to the streets of the capital to mark Labour Day, to protest against President Kais Saied and to demand the release of jailed political figures.
The rally, attended by members of different political factions, was called by Tunisia's powerful UGTT trade union confederation and relatives of detained opposition figures.
France's Labour Day laws: Who works and who doesn't ?
From workers' rights and political protests to the buying (and selling) of lilies of the valley, FRANCE 24 explores the country's unique May 1st traditions.
We also look at nationwide rallies and a proposed bill in parliament that could potentially reshape the rules surrounding this day.
Thousands of protesters march in Paris
From Tokyo to Turin to LA, Trump’s policies loom over May Day marches
French union leaders condemned the “Trumpisation” of world politics, while in Italy, May Day protesters paraded a puppet of the American president through the streets of Turin.
Across continents, hundreds of thousands turned out for Thursday's rallies marking International Workers’ Day, many united in anger over US President Donald Trump’s agenda — from aggressive tariffs stoking fears of global economic turmoil to immigration crackdowns.
In the United States, organisers framed this year’s protests as a pushback against what they called a sweeping assault on labour protections, diversity initiatives and federal employees.
In Germany, union leaders warned that extended workdays and rising anti-immigrant sentiment were dismantling labour protections. In Bern, Switzerland, thousands marched behind banners denouncing fascism and war — part of a wider backlash against the global surge of hard-right politics.
'All improvements in working practices have been won by working people getting together'
The general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation spoke to FRANCE 24 about the importance of May Day, or International Workers' Day.
Esther Lynch is in Paris to join the demonstrations here as she says the day is about celebrating how workers' friendship with each other – and their solidarity and unity – have won the rights that have been gained.
Her organisation warns, though, that Europe should do more to protect jobs, and ensure it is not bullied out of its social model.
Police arrest 400 in Istanbul during protests, lawyers group says
Police arrested more than 400 people in Istanbul, with parts of Turkey's biggest city paralysed in a bid to prevent May Day demonstrations, a lawyers group said.
This year's May Day comes as the government is embroiled in a showdown with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CPH), following the detention of its presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu, who is Istanbul's mayor, is the biggest political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"The number of arrests that have been reported to us exceeds 400," the Istanbul branch of the CHD lawyers group wrote on X on Thursday.
There was no immediate comment on the detentions from city authorities.
Taiwan workers warn of threat from Trump tariffs
Under overcast skies in Taipei, about 2,500 Taiwanese union members marched from the presidential office, representing sectors from fisheries to telecommunications.
Protesters warned that Trump’s tariffs could cost jobs and one autoworkers’ union carried a cutout car topped with a photo of Trump.
Taiwanese workers hold slogans reading "Anti-bullying Needs to Be Guaranteed" during a May Day rally in Taipei. Credit: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
“This is why we hope that the government can propose plans to protect the rights of labourers,” said union leader Carlos Wang.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te earlier referenced Trump's tariffs as he promoted a proposed spending bill aimed at stabilising the job market and supporting livelihoods.
French union calls for 'festive and combative' May Day
There will be no common front of French trade unions this year, the moderate CFDT having chosen not to rally with a group of more left-wing unions.
The CGT union, which counted some 260 rallies in France, has called for a "festive and combative" May Day.
The social media posts below show rallies in the northern city of Lille and in southeastern Lyon, where clashes have been reported with police.
May Day protesters in Turkey rally in defence of democracy
In Turkey, May Day is serving as a platform not only for labour rights but for broader calls to uphold democratic values following the jailing of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Authorities have blocked access to central Istanbul and shut down transit lines.
A law association said that more than 200 protesters were arrested before midday near Taksim Square, a symbolic rallying point long closed to May Day gatherings, including lawyers trying to follow the detentions.
Protesters attempt to defy a ban and march on Taksim Square. Umit Bektas, AFP
