BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Protesters from the left and right of politics have taken to the streets in several European cities to mark May Day.

In , several hundred left-wing activists demonstrated against a parade by the extreme far-right National Democratic Party in Berlin’s Schoeneweide district. Huge numbers of riot police and water canons were deployed to keep the two groups apart.

’s far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, who also marched on Wednesday, slammed the country’s austerity policy and called for stronger leadership.

In , a 24-hour May Day strike has stopped ferry services and disrupted public transport. Workers marched against over the record unemployment figures and a new austerity bill allowing the mass dismissal of civil servants.

(Source: CNTV.cn)