In the lead-up to the crucial French legislative election on July 7, multiple candidates have fallen victim to attacks while on the campaign trail, raising concerns about the safety and security of those running for office. Prisca Thevenot, a government spokesperson and candidate for President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance, was attacked along with her deputy and a party activist while putting up election posters near Paris. Thevenot emerged unharmed, but her colleagues were hospitalized, with the extent of their injuries unknown.
Following the incident, an investigation was launched into the assault on the public official, although the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Four individuals, including three minors, have been detained in connection with the assault. Thevenot condemned the violence, emphasizing that aggression is never an acceptable means of expression in a democracy.
The wave of attacks on candidates continued with reports of Marie Dauchy, a candidate for the National Rally in Savoy, being assaulted at a food market during her campaign. Subsequently, Dauchy announced her withdrawal from the race. Nicolas Conquer, another candidate for The Republicans, also disclosed an assault incident while distributing election flyers in Cherbourg, further highlighting the alarming trend of violence targeting political figures.
Political leaders from various parties denounced the attacks, calling for an end to the escalating climate of hostility and aggression. Prime Minister Attal and Marine Le Pen both expressed dismay over the situation, emphasizing the need to reject violence and hatred in political discourse. The prevalence of both verbal and physical violence in the current electoral campaign underscores the growing polarization within French politics.
In a concerning development, Fadila Khattabi, the minister for people with disabilities and daughter of Algerian immigrants, expressed fears of rising racist rhetoric in the country. Recounting a personal experience at a ministerial meeting, Khattabi highlighted the impact of hateful speech on individuals from immigrant backgrounds, noting that her son was contemplating leaving France due to concerns over the potential success of the National Rally.
The series of attacks and the underlying climate of intolerance have cast a shadow over the electoral process initiated by Macron following his alliance’s defeat to the National Rally in the European Parliament elections. The rising support for anti-immigration platforms has emboldened individuals to use racist, xenophobic, and antisemitic language openly, prompting calls for a more inclusive and respectful political debate in France.
