Political tensions in France have reached a boiling point following the fatal beating of Quentin Deranque, a young far-right activist, in Lyon. The incident, which occurred last Thursday, has ignited a fierce blame game and cast a grim shadow over the country’s upcoming local elections.
According to prominent government officials, including Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, the “ultra-left” was “clearly at the helm” of the brutal attack. Deranque, 23, was providing security at a protest against an appearance by Rima Hassan, a hard-left European Parliament member, when he was assaulted. Darmanin went further, accusing hard-left politicians of fueling “unbridled violence” with their rhetoric.
However, hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon expressed “shock” at the killing, extending empathy and compassion to Deranque’s family. He firmly rejected the accusations, stating his movement opposes all violence and that the blame lacked “any connection with reality.” An investigation into suspected aggravated manslaughter is now underway to identify those responsible for the brutal attack, which a witness described as involving iron bars.
This tragic event has deeply intensified the already charged political climate between France’s far-right and hard-left factions. With municipal elections just around the corner in March and the 2027 presidential race on the horizon, leaders across the spectrum are grappling with the fallout. President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for “calm” and “restraint,” urging everyone to allow the police and justice system to do their work. The call for peace resonates deeply as France grapples with this painful division.
Source: https://thesun.my/news/world-news/french-government-blames-ultra-left-for-fatal-political-attack/
