Throughout the streets of France on Thursday, April 25, an estimated quarter of a million people protested to denounce the fact that Jean-Marie Le Pen, a far-right leader of the National Front Party, won in the first-round presidential election on Sunday, April 21. The win will place Le Pen in the final run-off on May 5.
One young Paris demonstrator who had never protested in her life commented, "I cried on Sunday when I saw the results." Many protesters held signs with the message, "I am ashamed."
Le Pen finished second with 16.86% of the vote in the first round of a crowded French presidential election of 16 candidates. Incumbent Jacques Chirac had 19.88%, while Socialist candidate Lionel Jospin who was the expected runner-up based on polls before the vote, placed third with 16.18%.
Many French citizens were shocked by the results, as Le Pen is largely viewed as an anti-Semite and racist because of his support of "national preference" laws for housing and employment, in addition to advocating the expulsion of illegal immigrants and restricting the right to seek asylum. Le Pen has promised that if elected he will call for a referendum to re-establish the death penalty, which was abolished in 1981.
The stream of protests since the upset on Sunday have been calm. However, some demonstrators did throw rocks and overturn police barricades, which resulted in police flinging tear gas at crowds.
Le Pen's unexpected win is also attributed to low voter turnout. French voter particpation has been decreasing since 1988, when a little more than 80% of the population voted. Now that number is about 72%. Though Chirac is expected to win by an overwhelming margin on May 5, Le Pen's finish has succeeded in galvanizing the French citizenry to take a more active interest in their political leadership. Many who protested had not yet registered to vote, but BBC reports that they are lining up to vote in the final round.