Loi travail : affrontements à Paris, Rennes, Nantes, Lyon, Bordeaux – 17 mai 2016

Frencg gendarmes protect themselves with their shields after receiving a petrol bomb as they clash with protesters during a demonstration after the French government used the constitution’s Article 49,3 to bypass parliament and force through a controversial labour reform bill, on May 17, 2016, in Paris. French President Francois Hollande said on May 17 the battle against unemployment was not yet won as he vowed to stick with his controversial attempts to reform the labour market. The reforms have sparked two months of street protests and led to an unsuccessful attempt to bring down the government. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS SAMSON / AFP PHOTO / THOMAS SAMSON

A protester stands among smoke during clashes with police on May 12, 2016 in Nantes, western France, at a demonstration after the French government made use of the constitution’s Article 49,3, allowing them to bypass parliament to force through a controversial labour reform bill. France’s embattled Socialist government survived a vote of no-confidence on May 12 over its decision to force a controversial labour reform bill though parliament. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER

FRANCE, Nantes: A picture is taken of a small firework as thousands join protest against the government’s planned labour reforms in Nantes, western France, on May 17, 2017. Incidents between protestors and police forces escalated around midday in Nantes during a protest against planned employment and labour law reform, during which between 3,500 and 10,000 individuals took part, according to sources. – Thomas GIRONDEL

Protestors clash with police forces at a demonstration on May 17, 2016 in Nantes, western France, to protest against the government’s planned labour law reforms. Incidents between protestors and police forces escalated around 12h00 in Nantes during a protest against planned employment and labour law reform, during which between 3,500 and 10,000 individuals took part, according to sources. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD

A protestor holds up a make-shift shield reading « Old Europe is dying, how high are you going to erect your ramparts? » during a demonstration on May 17, 2016 in Nantes, western France, to protest against the government’s planned labour law reforms. Incidents between protestors and police forces escalated around 12h00 in Nantes during a protest against planned employment and labour law reform, during which between 3,500 and 10,000 individuals took part, according to sources. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD

People cross a railway on May 12, 2016 in Nantes, western France, during a demonstration after the French government made use of the constitution’s Article 49,3, allowing them to bypass parliament to force through a controversial labour reform bill. France’s embattled Socialist government survived a vote of no-confidence on May 12 over its decision to force a controversial labour reform bill though parliament. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER

French riot police clash with demontrators during a demonstration after the French government used the constitution’s Article 49,3 to bypass parliament and force through a controversial labour reform bill, on May 17, 2016, in Bordeaux. French President Francois Hollande said on May 17 the battle against unemployment was not yet won as he vowed to stick with his controversial attempts to reform the labour market. The reforms have sparked two months of street protests and led to an unsuccessful attempt to bring down the government. / AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS TUCAT