More than 50 candidates and activists assaulted in French election campaign, interior minister says

FRANCE 24

5 July 2024 at 4:51 am·1-min read

France's whirlwind legislative election campaign has been marred by assault and verbal attacks, with the interior minister reporting Friday that 51 candidates or political activists had been attacked during the campaign. The final round of the election will take place on July 7.

More than 50 politicians and campaigners have been assaulted during the French election, the interior minister said Friday, as tension mounts ahead of this weekend’s run-off votes.

“This campaign is short and yet we already have 51 candidates, substitutes and activists who have been physically assaulted,” Gerald Darmanin told BFMTV.

More than 30 people have been arrested, he said, including militants from far-right and far-left groups.

Last month, President Emmanuel Macron made the gamble of calling parliamentary elections just weeks before Paris hosts the Olympics, after the far right trounced his centrist alliance in European elections.

Several assaults have been reported as centrists and a new left-wing alliance make last ditch efforts to ensure the RN does not win an absolute majority in the second round.

(AFP)

BBC
France's far right 'sad and disappointed' over election result
With the champagne on ice, they thought they were on the brink of victory - but it didn't happen.
INSIDER
Kamala Harris won't save Democrats if she takes over for Biden, warns historian who correctly predicted 9 of the last 10 elections
Professor Allan Lichtman told WSJ that based on his election model, President Joe Biden remains the Democrats' best shot for the White House in 2024.
INSIDER
Beijing's 'monster ship,' the world's largest coastguard vessel, dropped anchor in the South China Sea
The 12,000-ton CCG 5901 anchored in Manila's exclusive economic zone earlier this week, ramping up tensions in the region.
The Telegraph
We don’t need to veer Left or Right – we just need to be Conservative
‘Taxes are up, the police are woke, and immigration is through the roof.” The man looking at me was recently retired, reasonably prosperous, and a lifelong Conservative voter. But this was his explanation why he could not vote for me, the party’s candidate in West Suffolk.
The Telegraph
Iranian warship capsizes in Gulf port ‘accident’
An Iranian warship capsized while undergoing port repairs, killing two officers and injuring several others.
The Telegraph
Will the Starmers be the first prime ministerial family since the Wilsons not to live in Downing Street?
The move to Downing Street is a symbolic moment for any incoming prime minister, the most obvious proof of your drastically changed situation. You do not merely run the shop, as Mrs Thatcher said, you live above it. Downing Street is one of the most prestigious political residences on Earth, perhaps second only to the White House. For five years, barring calamity, it is yours, for you to decorate with all the golden Lulu Lytle wallpaper you like.
The Daily Beast
Obama’s Go-To Guy in the White House Says There’s No Way Biden Wins
David Axelrod didn’t mince words when the subject of the president’s chances of re-election came up during a Sunday appearance on CNN, saying he doesn’t believe Joe Biden understands he can’t beat Donald Trump in November.“There are certain immutable facts of life, and those were painfully obvious on that debate stage, and the president just doesn’t seem to come to—he hasn’t come to grips with it. He’s not winning this race,” Axelrod said on Inside Politics. “If you just look at the data and tal
INSIDER
North Korean troops could be sent to Ukraine due to their sheer numbers, not their effectiveness, experts say
A report said North Korea may send troops to aid Russia in Ukraine. If true, it would be due to their numbers not effectiveness, experts told BI.
RFI
Surprise election win for left-green coalition plunges France into uncertainty
In France's biggest political upheaval in decades, a newly formed left-wing alliance is set to take up a majority of seats in parliament, just ahead of Macron's centrist coalition, with far-right National Rally in third place. While final results are still to be announced, it is clear no one grouping has an absolute majority. So a third round – of jockeying for further alliances – now begins. The snap election – called by President Emmanuel Macron following historic wins by the far-right Nationa
RFI
Carmakers unhappy after EU hits China with tariffs on electric vehicles
The European Union has slapped extra provisional duties of up to 38 percent on Chinese electric car imports because of "unfair" state subsidies, despite Beijing's warnings the move would unleash a trade war. But company reps in both China and Europe are critical of the steps. Brussels launched an investigation last year into Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to probe whether state subsidies were unfairly undercutting European automakers.Since announcing the planned tariff hike last month, o
The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Chinese troops hold military exercises with Belarus on Polish border
Two key Russia allies to hold joint anti-terrorism exercises in border city of Brest over 11 days. What we know on day 866
LA Times
Opinion: The force propping up Trump that we still don't talk about
Non-MAGA America seethes at Trump's lies, bluster and authoritarianism. But neither Biden nor any younger, healthier Democrat directly moves to shut down his appeal at its root — toxic whiteness.
INSIDER
Former Obama advisor says Biden is more likely to 'lose by a landslide than win narrowly this race'
"He's not winning this race," former Obama advisor David Axelrod said of Biden's electoral chances.
The Guardian
Suella Braverman losing support as potential party leader, Tories say
Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Kemi Badenoch, who have all ruled out deal with Reform, seen as more viable candidates
The Telegraph
What are Marine Le Pen’s plans for France?
After Marine Le Pen’s National Rally walloped Emmanuel Macron in the first round of voting in the French elections, there is a real chance France could be governed by a hard-Right party for the first time since the Second World War.
Deadline
Philadelphia Radio Host Resigns After Revealing Biden Team Gave Her Questions To Ask
Philadelphia radio station WURD has cut ties with a host who revealed President Joe Biden‘s team provided her pre-approved questions before a recent interview. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax announced that the station “mutually agreed to part ways” with Andrea Lawful-Sanders in a statement on Sunday after Lomax admitted that the “questions were …
Bloomberg
Thailand takes next step to relabel cannabis as narcotics: Post
Thailand took another step in its plan to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics again after a committee tasked with controlling illegal drugs agreed they shouldn’t be for recreational use, the Bangkok Post reported.
Euronews
Dutch Patriot air defence system deployed in Lithuania
A total of three Patriots are currently protecting Ukrainian airspace from Russian air attacks: two from Germany and one from the US.
Associated Press
Hawaii governor says Biden could decide within days whether to remain in the presidential race
President Joe Biden could make a decision within days whether to remain a candidate for reelection, said Hawaii’s governor who participated in a recent meeting with Biden and other Democratic governors and whose family has known the president for years.
The Daily Beast
More and More Supporters Are Turning Their Backs on Biden
The holiday weekend has done little to quell concerns within Joe Biden’s camp about his participation in the 2024 race, with numerous reports indicating Biden has just days to turn the storyline around.On Saturday, The New York Times revealed it had spoken to at least 50 Democrats in the last week, with the consensus from officials, lawmakers and strategists that Biden’s presence in the race had become “unsustainable,” the newspaper reported.President Biden, who was pictured attending church ser

Latest stories