Police reported that black-clad attackers assaulted a far-right candidate during France’s snap parliamentary election campaign. This incident reflects a broader trend of escalating political violence across Europe.
Herve Breuil, a candidate for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party, was assaulted while campaigning in Saint Etienne, near Lyon, France.
His assailants wore black and masked their faces, spokespeople for the police and local authority said. He was hospitalised following the assault but was due to be released soon, they added.
Attacks against political figures — the majority of them mayors and local councillors — have risen steadily in France.
In the first nine months of 2023, there were 2,387 physical and verbal attacks, surpassing the total for 2022. Incidents rose significantly in 2022, up by a third from the previous year, according to the interior ministry data.
Le Pen blamed what she called “far-left extremists” for the attack against Breuil.
“An election campaign in a democracy cannot be allowed to have such acts of extreme violence carried out by a far left which is prepared to do anything to sow chaos,” said Le Pen on social media platform X.
Police have opened an investigation.
The political climates in France and Germany have become increasingly contentious due to frequent exchanges on social media. Populist politics have exacerbated divisions and rhetoric in both countries.
The French election assault serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in political campaigns. It underscores the imperative for stringent security measures to safeguard candidates and uphold electoral integrity.
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