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France gears up for May Day protests, in first test for newly reelected Macron

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Backing Marine Le Pen or Emmanuel Macron in France's presidential election last Sunday would have been like choosing "between the plague, cholera, and the plague."

She didn't vote. She is instead preparing to participate in May Day protests on Sunday.

Boumhi said that she would block any attempts to re-elect Macron with pro-business reforms.

"It's our only way to get something," the single mother said. With a net salary of less than 2,000 euros ($2,107), she must count every penny to feed herself and her 22-year old daughter who is a student.

"I used to give myself an occasional treat, but after I paid my electricity bill, the rent is paid. It would be difficult for me to take holidays."

Macron must win the June legislative elections. The main theme of Macron's presidential campaign was the cost of living.

His current government set up price caps for electricity and gas price increases. He has promised to take further steps, including increasing pensions. These measures will help consumers' purchasing power in the face of a steep price rise.

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Inflation reached 5.4% in April. Growth was slow in the first quarter. This gave rise to opposition and street protests.

Boumhi received a 228 euro monthly bonus as part of government steps that improved the fate of healthcare workers last year. However, she claims it has not quell her anger or allowed her to live more comfortably.

On Sunday, she will march for higher salaries and to press Macron to abandon plans to increase the retirement age from 62 to 65. She said, "If we don’t get anything, things can escalate." "There is a lot built up anger."

Philippe Martinez, head of the hard-line CGT union will be at the May Day rallies.

He has many messages for the government.

Martinez said that the government must address the problem of purchasing power by increasing wages.

Martinez stated that Macron "cannot do the same thing he did in 2017 when he thought that all those who voted for him agreed to his program." Martinez stressed that Macron was supported both times by many people not because they agreed with his platform, but to prevent Marine Le Pen being elected.

CGT will urge workers to press Macron in the streets, and strike after May Day rallies, he stated, stressing that if Macron is not under pressure, he will think he can carry out anti-social reforms without any restrictions.

Even Laurent Berger from the CFDT union was more moderate and urged Macron to listen to workers' demands in a tribune published in Le Monde.

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