The origin of May 1 is therefore to be found on the left, on the side of the unions and socialist and communist parties. In these circles, the tradition of May 1st is still well anchored. However, in addition to left-wing organizations, others are interested or are interested in May 1st.
In France for example, during the Second World War, the Vichy government, which collaborated with the German occupiers, was interested in Workers’ Day, a way of recovering the event and pulling the rug out from under the workers’ movements. LEFT. “Marshal Pétain in fact appropriates this holiday, this day of May 1, to calm the spirits. He will make it a celebration of harmony, work and social harmony“, explains Francine Bolle.
Also in France, at the end of the 1980s, the National Front moved the celebration it dedicated to Joan of Arc to May 1st. The National Rally, the new name of the FN, continues this habit.
Even the Catholic Church is interested in May 1, the day of Saint Joseph the Artisan. Pope John Paul II met the world of work on May 1, 2000. His successor, François, also mentioned work, “man’s vocation”, in 2020.
In Belgium, May 1 is still today a privileged moment for union rallies and speeches, mainly on the left, because the other unions are rather discreet on this occasion.
Several Belgian political parties also make it a major event. This is historically the case on the left where the PS and the PTB each mobilize their troops. This is also the case since the beginning of the 1980s on the Liberal side. The PRL, now the MR, made this day a highlight of the party to celebrate work in the broad sense. For political parties, May 1 meetings are an opportunity to position themselves in relation to rivals. This is even more the case in the pre-election period, like this year.