‘RED LINE’
Political tensions have long intensified ahead of votes in France. But rights groups and activists say something has shifted this time, with violent individuals holding far-right sympathies seemingly feeling emboldened to physically and verbally assault others.
Michael Colborne, researcher for Bellingcat on transnational far-right networks, said that if the RN was to take power, young men could feel empowered to ‘take matters into their own hands’.”
“These violent far-right extremist groups are slowly growing, consolidating, and preparing to use violence,” he said.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has warned of the potential for “extremely strong tensions”. He announced this week he had shut a number of far-right groups, including the GUD.
Before Darmanin took action against the GUD, Bardella, who would most likely become prime minister if the RN wins a majority, said he would close down violent groups from the ultra right and ultra left.
“I would protect individual freedoms, the freedom to protest. My red line is violence,” he said.
Rights groups report a rise in racist, homophobic and transphobic attacks since the Jun 9 European election, which saw Marine Le Pen’s RN trounce Macron’s ruling party, prompting Macron to call the shock election.
Anti-racism campaigner Saphia Ait Ouarabi said she had in the past weeks been on the receiving end of racial abuse online.
“Far-right ideas radicalise people on the ground and it spurs them to commit violent acts,” she said.
