Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reported that almost 300 protesters were arrested, and at least 108 police officers were wounded, 25 of them in the capital.

Darmanin described the high toll of police injuries as "extremely rare" for a May 1 protest. He recounted one officer sustaining burns to the face and hands after being hit by a Molotov cocktail but confirmed that his life was not in danger.

The protests, organized by unions, aimed to challenge Macron's recently signed law raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, despite months of strikes and opposition.

Despite the significant turnout of 782,000 people across France, including 112,000 in Paris alone according to the interior ministry, violence erupted as radical protesters, known as "black blocs," clashed with security forces. Protesters vandalized property, and police responded with tear gas and water cannons.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne condemned the violence, labeling it as unacceptable and expressing support for law enforcement.

While Macron and his government have attempted to move forward from the discontent sparked by the pension reform, CGT chief Sophie Binet stressed that the determination to oppose the reform remains strong among protesters.

The protests marked the first time since 2009 that all eight of France's main unions joined in calling for demonstrations, reflecting ongoing public discontent with Macron's policies.

France has witnessed a series of strikes and protests against Macron and his pension changes since mid-January, with some demonstrations turning violent.

The unrest underscores the deep-seated resentment and anger among a significant portion of the French population toward Macron's administration and its policies. (ILKHA)