Election campaign in France marked by violence: attack on government spokeswoman
Thevenot filed a complaint. The identity of the perpetrators is unknown so far. According to "Le Parisien" newspaper, four young people have been taken into custody, three of them underage. They are suspected of damaging campaign posters.
Thevenot expressed concern in an interview a few hours before the incident that racism was increasing in the campaign. "As a mother of two children, it scares me," said Thevenot, whose parents are from Mauritius. A candidate from the right-wing populist party Rassemblement National (RN) told her to "go back to your island."
Several other candidates have already been attacked, including an RN candidate who also filed a complaint. Health Minister Frédéric Valletoux criticized the growing tensions in the campaign, citing "insults at local meetings that quickly escalate."
Following reports of racist remarks by RN candidates, RN politician Marine Le Pen admitted that there were "black sheep," as there are everywhere. She acknowledged that there had been "unacceptable statements," but also some that were merely "clumsy." She accused the media of "inquisitorial" behavior.
Investigative magazine "Mediapart" published a list of 80 "problematic" RN candidates, including one who campaigned for a "cleansed and safe France." Another called on black actor Omar Sy to stay in the US. Among the RN candidates is also the founder of a pro-Russian lobby organization. A candidate who had posed for a photo with a Nazi umbrella has since withdrawn.
On Sunday, the decisive round of the election for the National Assembly takes place. The RN leads in the polls, but the seat distribution is difficult to predict. Over 200 candidates have withdrawn from three-way races to reduce the chances of their respective RN candidates in their constituencies. Since 76 candidates have already qualified in the first round, voting will take place in 501 of the 577 constituencies.
- The Parliamentary election in France has been marred by several attacks, including one against candidate Thevenot, who expressed concern about rising racism during her campaign.
- In a shocking incident, Thevenot, a mother of two children with roots in Mauritius, was subjected to racist remarks by a candidate from the Rassemblement National (RN) party.
- The Government spokeswoman condemned the violence and attacks during the election campaign, urging for a peaceful and respectful atmosphere for all candidates.
- In response to reports of racist remarks by RN candidates, the RN's leader, Marine Le Pen, acknowledged the presence of "black sheep" and "unacceptable statements," but also defended some as merely "clumsy."
- Le Parisien reported that four individuals, including three minors, have been arrested in connection to damage caused to campaign posters during the election campaign in France.
