Riots in central Paris after election results
CLASHES between police and protestors have been reported in central Paris and the southeastern city of Lyon after conservative leader Nicolas Sarkozy was elected French President overnight.
In the Place de la Bastille in Paris riot police fired tear gas and at least one burst of water cannon after hundreds of rioters – some wearing masks – began throwing bottles, stones and other missiles.
Earlier, a small crowd brandishing black and red anarchist flags set fire to an effigy of Mr Sarkozy before tearing it limb from limb and then stamping on it. Demonstrators changed “police everywhere, justice nowhere”.
About 5000 supporters of defeated Socialist party candidate Segolene Royal had gathered in the square to await the election results. Mr Sarkozy beat Ms Royal by 53 per cent of the vote to 47 per cent, according to projections.The defeated Socialists had portrayed Mr Sarkozy as a danger for France during the election campaign and said he was authoritarian who was likely to exacerbate tensions in the poor, multi-racial suburbs that ring many cities.
Thousands of extra police have been drafted in to patrol sensitive areas following the election result.
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