All eyes were on France yesterday as over a million people took to the streets in a May Day protest against Jean-Marie Le Pen's racist policies, which attracted so much support in the first round of the presidential elections.
With four days to go to the final round on Sunday, this was an impressive display, remaining free of violence that could have rebounded in Mr Le Pen's favour. But it is still not clear whether the demonstrations will stimulate a higher turnout of voters on Sunday. Many remain deeply disillusioned with the choice between Mr Le Pen and Mr Chirac and dissatisfied with the unreformed structure of French politics.
May Day was certainly the appropriate occasion for these demonstrations, carrying a vivid multicultural message of solidarity with immigrants and affirming the universal values of human rights and tolerance. But more effective policies are needed to address the fears of many working-class voters about insecurity, and convince them not to swing to Mr Le Pen, as significant numbers have done. That challenge to the French left will be reinforced in the forthcoming general election campaign. For his part Mr Chirac hopes a victory on Sunday will prepare the way for a right-wing victory in June.
May Day has clearly not lost its significance as an international labour day, first proclaimed by the Socialist International in 1889. At that time it became a focus for campaigns in favour of the eight-hour day and other improvements in basic working conditions. Yesterday, similar everyday concerns were in the foreground of demonstrations in Spain, Italy and Japan against labour-market reforms.
All over the world the emerging agenda developed by critics of capitalist globalisation was heard. This movement was deflected by the New York and Washington atrocities last September 11th, but has since recovered sufficiently to mount further protest demonstrations. Gratuitous violence by small minorities on such occasions can be counter-productive as it sets out to communicate with the traditional trade- union and labour constituencies normally associated with May Day. Such a cross-fertilisation has much to contribute to the renewal of social movements which aim to have a real purchase on social change.