On April 23rd the first round of the eleventh election of the Fifth Republic of France was held. Polls suggested several different possibilities who could reach the finals. With 93 percent of all constituencies counted Macron and LePen will run for a final. They are both closely followed by Fillon and Mélenchon.

Armed police guard poll site.

Poster of two in the final round - destroyed

Poster of two in the final round – destroyed

A person picks a piece of paper for voting.

A person picks a piece of paper for voting.

Mélenchon leaves a voting site - shortly after voting

Mélenchon leaves a voting site – shortly after voting

Riots as First Polls are released

Demonstrators gathered at night in front of the opera at Place de la Bastille in the center of Paris. As soon as the first statistics were released and Macron and LePen were leading protestor occupied the Place de la Bastille. The protest was announced with the name ‘Nuit des Barricades’ – Night of the Barricades. After some protestors ripped big peaces of wood from a construction site in the middle of the square police came close. They surrounded a part of the group protesting. One girl was pushed by a policeman and was injured seriously at the throat and bleeding. A big group split off to rally through the area around Place de la Bastille. This group of maybe two-hundred built roadblocks, smashed bank widows and attacked police car. As the group returned to Place de la Bastille riots kind of ended for a moment.

Later at night some clashes were also happening at Place de la Republique where another group of people gathered. Police deploayed tear-gas.

In an area a little north of the protest two cars were set in fire.

All in all the fact that LePen made it to the finals is a bad sign for France and all of Europe. People seem very angry and disappointed by the fact that Macron and LePen are going for the finals. Protest might continue on April 24. Check our blog for new info.