May 1 confined: workers mobilized on social networks

This May 1, 2020 will undoubtedly be remembered. No processions in the streets and hardly thrush, but a very media presence of the Head of State. As tradition dictates, Emmanuel Macron and his wife still welcomed the producers of lily of the valley and the owner of the Rungis Market in the courtyard of the Elysée Palace. A small group reception after which the Head of State took the floor for a mini-speech. He had already expressed himself in the morning on Twitter, giving this day, symbol for more than a century of union and social struggles, a resolutely political tone.

In his video, Macron salutes "the spirit of May 1st", with "a thought for the union organizations". "It is thanks to the work, celebrated this day, that the Nation is able to keep it," he underlines about confinement. And to add a small sentence conducive to the controversy, as he likes them: "We will find as soon as possible the May 1 happy, bickering who make our Nation".

This May 1 is unlike any other. And yet, it is thanks to the work, celebrated this day, that the Nation keeps. #FranceUnie pic.twitter.com/JbKKqCQ4Ta

"In a slightly offbeat decorum, in costume and under the gold of the Elysée Palace, to talk about bickering, that is to say disputes over rubbish, is a blunder," says Bruno Cautrès, CNRS researcher at Cevipof, the Sciences-po political research center. Faced with skeptical unions and a public opinion that doubts health management by the executive, using such words is not ideal in terms of communication. "

Pan concerts, sporadic gatherings…

The reactions on the left were not long in coming. "May 1 is not a bickering ritual , it is a tribute to the workers, to their struggles for new rights and the opportunity to say that so much remains to be done," said Olivier Faure, the boss of the PS. The words of the Head of State were also welcomed by the unions, the number one CFDT Laurent Berger, denouncing the "only budgetary logic" and his CGT counterpart Philippe Martinez calling on the executive to "take action "

This Friday, for lack of being able to beat the pavement, rebellious France and the Communist party mobilized on the web and social networks. Demonstrators on their sofa, gatherings staged with Playmobil or garden gnomes, covers of the Internationale in the lounges or on the balconies: photos and videos flourished…

The movement of Jean-Luc Mélenchon organized this Friday concerts of pan on windows and balconies, to denounce the government's improvisation in the management of the Covid-19 crisis. Fabien Roussel, the communist leader, posted on Facebook a long speech before going to the Parisian hospital of La Salpêtrière to offer a touch of thrush to the nursing staff.

Political Newsletter

I'm registering

Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more

The unions have organized a few sporadic rallies. A very different May 1st, therefore, from that of last year when, in the midst of the Yellow Vests crisis, 165,000 to 310,000 demonstrators, according to sources, had paraded throughout France.