In the final days leading up to France’s crucial parliamentary elections, tensions have escalated with several candidates reporting attacks on the campaign trail. Among those targeted was government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot, a candidate for President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance.
Thevenot, along with her deputy and a party activist, was putting up election posters in Meudon, near Paris, on Wednesday night when they were attacked by a group. Thevenot was unharmed, but her deputy and the activist were taken to a hospital. The nature of their injuries remains unclear. The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into an assault with a weapon against a public official, and four individuals, including three minors, are in custody.
Thevenot expressed her shock but remained resolute, stating, “Violence is never the answer.” She emphasized her commitment to continue campaigning despite the incident. Politicians across the spectrum condemned the attack, highlighting the increasing hostility in the current political climate.
Marie Dauchy, a National Rally candidate in Savoy, also reported being assaulted at a food market while campaigning. Following the attack, she announced her withdrawal from the race. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, described the assault on Dauchy as “cowardly.”
Nicolas Conquer, a candidate for The Republicans, shared on social media that he was attacked while distributing election flyers in Cherbourg. He was accompanied by a minor at the time and reported the incident to the police.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called for a rejection of the growing climate of violence and hatred, while Le Pen described the situation as “deplorable” in a TV interview. Thevenot, who is of Mauritian descent, had earlier expressed her concerns about the political climate as a person of color. She highlighted the increase in racist attacks, noting that such acts are now carried out openly and with a sense of pride.
The rise in support for the anti-immigration National Rally has led to a surge in racist, xenophobic, and antisemitic language in public discourse. A candidate from Macron’s camp in the outskirts of Paris was assigned private security after facing antisemitic abuse.
Fadila Khattabi, the minister for people with disabilities and the daughter of Algerian immigrants, shared her fears about the rise in racist rhetoric at a ministerial meeting. She revealed that her son, a successful pharmacist, is considering leaving France due to concerns over a potential National Rally victory.
The sudden and intense legislative campaign was triggered by Macron’s decision to call a snap election on June 9, following a significant defeat for his centrist alliance in the European Parliament elections. This has plunged the country into a chaotic and polarized political environment.
As the election day approaches, the French interior minister announced the deployment of 30,000 police officers, including 5,000 in the Paris region, to ensure security. The stakes are high as left-wing and moderate groups aim to prevent the National Rally from securing an absolute legislative majority, which would mark a historic shift for France.
The attacks on candidates have underscored the volatile nature of the current political landscape. Thevenot’s experience, along with those of other candidates, highlights the urgent need to address the rising tide of violence and hatred in French politics.
Source: AP News, Le Monde
