France: how to deal with death of far-right activist
An activist from the far-right Identitarian Movement was apparently beaten to death in Lyon on Thursday on the sidelines of an event at which left-wing MEP Rima Hassan was appearing. Quentin D. (23) was beaten up under unclear circumstances and died of his injuries on Saturday. French President Macron has called for calm, restraint and respect.
Turning point before the elections
The incident will further divide France and push key election issues into the background, warns Les Echos:
“One month before the local elections, this event marks a turning point: extremism is killing people in France. The undeniable violence in the public debate and the polarisation driven by the extremes are one of the hallmarks of recent years. ... Security will play an increasingly central role, as in the local elections. This is certainly legitimate, but it will not be good for the economy. ... Given the immense challenges that must be addressed, the economic and budgetary plans of future candidates should not be relegated to the background.”
The country needs calm
Now is not the time to stir up more hatred, warns Libération:
“What is certain is that the unbearable climate of excess and intolerance that has pervaded French politics for some time now – and unfortunately not just French politics – can only lead to such tragedies by inflaming overly simplistic minds, whatever their political leanings. But those who are now pointing the finger at this or that culprit, further stoking the flames under this cauldron of simmering hatred, would do well to regain their calm and composure.... With just a month to go before municipal elections and just under a year before the presidential election, we must remember at every moment that political violence can lead to killings.”
Martyr of freedom of expression
Quentin is a victim of left-wing tyranny of opinion, Le Figaro concludes:
“The 'anti-fascist totalitarianism' predicted by [philosopher Alain] Finkielkraut has manifested itself in its most savage form in Lyon, but it has been hanging in the air like toxic conformity for far too long. ... An entire generation trained to dehumanise anything even remotely associated with the 'far right', politicians who go along with this out of cowardice, a media clergy that pronounces blanket condemnations, and a boy who peacefully wants to protect a banner against 'Islamo-Gauchisme in our universities' and dies under a barrage of blows. ... In this story Quentin is not an 'activist' caught up in a 'brawl', but a martyr of freedom of expression.”