French Far-Right Accuses Left of Threatening 'Civil Peace' Ahead of Election

France's far-right National Rally (RN) party has accused the political left of aiming to "undermine civil peace" should their leader, Marine Le Pen, win the presidential election next spring. The increasingly confrontational tone of the campaign was highlighted by RN party president Jordan Bardella.

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an admission of weakness from the left, which hates democracy and is calling into question the fundamental principles of the rule of law and the electoral process.

With less than eight months until the election, Le Pen remains a front-runner in opinion polls. Analysts note a growing appeal of political extremes in France, with hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon seen as having a strong chance to reach a runoff against Le Pen.

Speaking at an agricultural fair, Bardella expressed concern over calls for "civil disobedience" from the left if the RN party comes to power. He characterized these calls as an "admission of weakness" from a left that "hates democracy" and questions the fundamental principles of the rule of law and the electoral process. Bardella specifically criticized the stance of France Unbowed, Melenchon's party, calling their campaign attitude "deeply worrying."

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The attitude of France Unbowed at the start of this campaign is deeply worrying. They are already seeking to undermine civil peace in our country.

Mathilde Panot, leader of the France Unbowed parliamentary group, and Greens leader Marine Tondelier have both indicated support for "civil disobedience" in the event of an RN victory. Some observers worry the election could devolve into a contest dominated by populist, anti-establishment forces, which has caused concern among investors regarding a potential runoff between the far-right and the hard-left.

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Bardella also questioned Melenchon's "true intentions," referencing a recent debate where Melenchon vowed to "disobey" European decisions conflicting with French voters' wishes and proposed canceling a portion of France's public debt. Bardella asserted that France Unbowed and Melenchon do not seek to win the election but rather to "destroy" institutions.

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France Unbowed and Monsieur Melenchon do not want to win this presidential election. They do not want to protect institutions, they want to destroy them.