Petra Dvořáková: Between Fear and Resignation. Pre-election scenes from the Parisian suburbs

Saturday, Jun 29, 2024

France faces crucial elections amid rising far-right support, highlighting social tensions and political shifts.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

France is facing significant upcoming elections following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call early parliamentary elections after the far-right National Rally (RN) won the European Parliament with over thirty percent of the vote, double the gain of Macron’s coalition. The RN, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, promotes nationalist policies including preferential rights for French citizens in employment and housing, restrictions on immigration, and anti-Islam rhetoric. In areas like Seine-Saint-Denis, which has a large population with migrant roots, far-right sentiment is strong, while the left maintains significant support. The article examines these socio-economic issues, high rates of police violence against minority youth, and political mobilization in these suburbs. While some activists advocate for change, others express disillusionment or apathy towards voting. Macron’s coalition faces a critical juncture as the elections approach, with predictions suggesting the RN could gain around thirty percent of the vote.


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