French protests continue after King's visit cancelled

Thousands demonstrate nationwide against the government

- PETER ALLEN

Police vehicles were set on fire by protesters in France, as President Emmanuel Macron faced another day of violent demonstrations. Thousands fought running battles with heavily armed officers at a gathering yesterday at Sainte-Soline, near Poitiers.

Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, said two critically injured people - one of them a police officer, the other a protester - were transported by helicopter to hospital.

They were protesting against the deployment of a new waterstorage centre, and comes a day after clashes elsewhere in the country over Mr Macron's plan to push the retirement age up from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote. Those riots had led to the cancellation of a royal visit from King Charles III.

"While the country is rising up to defend pensions, will simultaneously stand up to defend water," said the organisers gathering under the banner of "Bassines non merci" ("No to reservoirs, thank you").

As the violence intensified yesterday Mr Darmanin said "far left" rioters were also using mortars to fire explosives at the police. Three police vehicles were completely burned out, and multiple officers injured.

Mr Darmanin said: "In Sainte-Soline, the ultra left and the far left are extremely violent against our gendarmes. This is appalling and unacceptable."

"No-one should tolerate this," he added. "My full support is with the police."