France Ramps Up Security as Candidates Face Violence Before Elections

In the final days leading up to France's crucial parliamentary elections on Sunday, several candidates have reported attacks while campaigning. Government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot is among those affected. The French interior minister announced that 30,000 police officers, including 5,000 in the Paris region, will be deployed on voting day.

Thevenot, a candidate for President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Ensemble alliance, was attacked while putting up election posters in Meudon near Paris. She was with a deputy and a party activist when the incident occurred. Both the deputy and the activist were hospitalised. "The symbolic violence of words quickly was replaced by physical violence," she told reporters on Thursday.

Rising Tensions and Violence

Tensions are high as left-wing and moderate groups aim to prevent the anti-immigration National Rally from securing an absolute legislative majority. This would mark a significant historical shift for France. Candidates have faced both hate speech and physical violence during this brief and polarising campaign.

Marie Dauchy, a National Rally candidate in Savoy, was assaulted at a food market while campaigning on Wednesday. She later announced her withdrawal from the race. Marine Le Pen, her party leader, stated on X that two men had "cowardly" assaulted Dauchy.

Nicolas Conquer, a candidate for The Republicans, reported being attacked while distributing election flyers in Cherbourg on Tuesday. He was accompanied by a minor at the time and has reported the incident to the police.

Government Response and Public Reaction

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal condemned the rising violence and hatred, urging people to reject such behaviour. "Let's reject the climate of violence and hatred that is taking hold," he said on X. Marine Le Pen also criticised the current climate as deplorable during a TV interview.

A few hours before being attacked, Thevenot expressed her concerns as a person of colour in a "complicated" political situation during an interview with TF1. She mentioned her parents are from Mauritius and highlighted repeated racist attacks she has faced.

Many worry that increased support for the National Rally has emboldened people to use racist, xenophobic, and antisemitic language publicly. A candidate from Macron's camp campaigning in Paris's outskirts was assigned private security after facing antisemitic abuse.

Incidents of Racism and Legal Actions

Pamphlets targeting Black people appeared in mailboxes in Chatou, shocking residents. Activist group SOS Racisme filed a legal complaint for inciting hatred and reported an increase in racist comments and acts during the campaign.

The government agency tracking racist acts did not have recent data since the campaign began. However, French newspaper Le Canard Enchaine reported that Fadila Khattabi, minister for people with disabilities, shared her fears of racist speech at a ministerial meeting.

"Considering my origins, I am scared of racist speech," she said. Khattabi mentioned that her son now wants to leave France due to fears of a National Rally victory.

Protests Against Far-Right

The Antifascist Action Paris-Suburbs group called for a protest outside the National Assembly on Sunday night as results come in to stand against the far right. Marine Le Pen denounced this call for protest.

President Macron called for these snap legislative elections on June 9 after his centrist alliance suffered a significant defeat to the National Rally in European Parliament elections. This unexpected move has led to a chaotic and sudden legislative campaign.

Thevenot remains committed despite the attack and ongoing investigation into its motive. Four individuals, including three minors, are currently in custody related to this incident. Politicians across various parties have condemned these attacks on candidates.