Around 700 people, young and old, marched around the historic centre of Montpellier last Sunday night, celebrating the no victory in the referendum.
“We won,” the demonstrators chanted. “Everyone together.”
Calls went up for president Jacques Chirac to resign and be sent to prison.
There were flags from the Communist Party, from the far left Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire (LCR) and from the trade union Sud.
There were also supporters of the Greens, even though the official position of the Greens was for a yes vote.
One teacher said, “We’ve worked tirelessly for the last few weeks. The committee for the no vote in Montpellier is very broad based. We’re very happy with the result.”
A supporter of Sud said, “We don’t want a neo-liberal Europe which cuts services.”
A young LCR supporter said, “Jacques Chirac will try to come back to get the result he wants. But we think this is the start of further struggles to make social gains. The result gives people confidence.”
A staffing crisis in the NHS
Health workers set to strike across four Manchester hospitals
Bus workers rejected an offer and came back out
