About 30,000 police officers are set to be deployed across France on Sunday night amidst concerns of potential violence following the final results of a snap election where the far right aims to secure a parliamentary majority.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that 5,000 police will be stationed in Paris and its suburbs to prevent any disruptions by extremist factions from both the radical right and left.
The heightened security measures come after an incident in Meudon, near Paris, where government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot and her team were reportedly attacked while putting up campaign posters. Four individuals, including a minor, were arrested following the altercation. Thevenot, undeterred by the incident, expressed her resolve to continue campaigning, emphasizing that violence is never justified.
Earlier, Thevenot had shared her personal concerns about the current political climate in France, particularly as a person of color and mother of mixed-race children, citing increased racist incidents.
Marine Le Pen's National Rally party (RN) candidate Marie Dauchy and Nicolas Conquer from The Republicans also reported being attacked in separate incidents recently, highlighting growing tensions ahead of the election's final round.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal condemned the violence, stressing that such actions have no place in a democratic society. He urged for a rejection of hatred and intimidation as France braces for what is anticipated to be a pivotal electoral outcome.
Sunday's runoff is anticipated to see RN emerging as a major force in parliament, potentially even securing an absolute majority if voter turnout is high. The election has spurred strategic withdrawals by centrist and left-wing coalitions to curb RN's gains, underscoring the high stakes of the contest for France's political future.
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