National: Election Candidates in France Face Campaign Trail Attacks

France Elections: Candidates Under Attack Before High-Stakes Sunday Vote

Security Measures Tightened Amid Rising Tensions

In the final stretch before France’s high-stakes parliamentary elections on Sunday, several candidates have reported being attacked on the campaign trail, including government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot.

The French interior minister announced that 30,000 police officers will be deployed on voting day, with a significant number in the Paris region. Tensions are high as left-wing and moderate groups aim to prevent the anti-immigration, nationalist National Rally from securing an absolute legislative majority.

Candidates have raised concerns about both hate speech and physical violence in the brief and polarizing campaign for the snap elections.

Thevenot, a candidate for the centrist Ensemble alliance led by President Emmanuel Macron, revealed that she and her team were attacked while putting up election posters in Meudon near Paris. She emphasized the transition from symbolic to physical violence and expressed shock and determination to continue campaigning.

She highlighted the ongoing investigations into the motive of the attack and the individuals responsible. The prosecutor’s office confirmed arrests in connection to the assault.

Politicians from all sides have condemned the attacks on candidates, with reports emerging of assaults on individuals campaigning for various parties across different regions of France. Concerns have been raised regarding the escalating violence and intolerance surrounding the elections.

As the election date approaches, the surge in support for the National Rally has sparked a wave of racist and xenophobic incidents. Reports of hate speech, physical assaults, and targeted pamphlets have raised alarm among activists and residents.

French officials and organizations are monitoring the situation closely and taking steps to address the rise in racist incidents during the campaign period.

As the country braces for the outcome of the legislative elections, the impact of the political climate on minority communities and immigrant families remains a focal point of discussion and concern.

Angela Charlton in Paris contributed.



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