Meudon, France – In the lead-up to the final round of parliamentary elections, a chilling wave of violence and verbal assaults have targeted candidates and activists across France. As tension mounts ahead of Sunday’s crucial vote, government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot and her team fell victim to a vicious attack while putting up election posters in Meudon, located in the southwest of Paris.
The attack on Thevenot, her deputy, and a party activist is one of several incidents that have rocked the country, underscoring the heightened political atmosphere with the far-right National Rally (RN) emerging as a prominent contender. The motive behind the assault remains unclear, but the event prompted Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to denounce the perpetrators for their “intolerable cowardice.”
Footage captured from a nearby building showed a group of youths surrounding the candidates, leading to a confrontation that resulted in injuries. Thevenot recounted that the altercation began when they caught the youths defacing their party’s posters, escalating into violence where her colleague suffered a broken jaw, while another sustained an arm injury.
In response to the incident, three teenagers and a 20-year-old man were apprehended by law enforcement, drawing swift condemnation from politicians across the spectrum. The call for rejecting violence and animosity was echoed by various leaders, including RN chief Jordan Bardella, who emphasized the need to address rising insecurity and criminality in the country.
With the impending election drawing near, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced plans to deploy 30,000 police officers to safeguard the voting process and prevent disruptions from extremist factions. The security measures come amid concerns from constituents who fear potential unrest regardless of the election’s outcome, reflecting a growing disillusionment with the political establishment.
As the campaign intensifies, candidates aligned with RN have also faced violent encounters, underscoring the volatile nature of French politics in the lead-up to the final round of voting. The stakes are high for all parties involved, with RN aiming to secure a majority in the National Assembly, while their rivals strategize to block their ascent to power.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the election, the French electorate remains deeply divided, with fears looming over the potential implications of a far-right government. As the nation grapples with complex social and political issues, the outcome of Sunday’s election carries significant implications for the future trajectory of France.