Thousands protest against far right in France ahead of snap polls

Thousands marched in Paris and cities across France on Saturday to protest against the far-right National Rally (RN) ahead of upcoming elections to the French Parliament.

Following the RN's surge in last Sunday's European elections, police said 3,50,000 people were expected to march and 21,000 officers had been mobilised after labour unions, student groups and rights groups called for rallies to oppose the anti-immigration, eurosceptic party.

At least 150 marches were expected in cities including Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon and Lille.

In Paris, where police said 75,000 people turned out, a march set off at 1200 GMT (5:30 pm IST) from Place de La Republique, in the east, going through the Bastille Square to Nation.