France sees surge in racist hatred, blames far-right for promoting intolerance
FRANCE-With a platform that calls for limiting immigrant rights in France, the far-right National Rally (RN) is leading the polls for the upcoming legislative elections. This is "frontal opposition to the principles of equality, fraternity and freedom" enshrined in the French constitution and will encourage racist views. Is France's far-right spreading hate and intolerance? In the EU referendum earlier this month, the RN gained 30 members in the European parliament and 88 seats in the 2022 parliamentary elections, making it the second-largest party in parliament. In
Amidst rising anti semitism, Jewish candidate fights for inclusion in France
FRANCE-The customer strolled by the young candidate seeking votes in France's intense and high-stakes parliamentary election amid market booths piled high with fresh food, but she stopped and turned around to voice her concerns to Shannon Seban. Can France's Jewish candidate overcome hate and division? The 28-year-old candidate, who is Jewish and claims she is increasingly experiencing antisemitism, finds what transpired next to be heartbreakingly familiar in the context of the campaign. Prior to Sunday's first round of voting, Seban got into a furious argument with
National rally calls for restrictions on dual nationals in strategic roles
FRANCE-The goal of France's emerging far-right parties is to outlaw the employment of dual-national French citizens in "sensitive" positions. The sizable Franco-Maghreb population is concerned about the blatantly unlawful legislation. Will France ban dual nationals from sensitive jobs? According to Jordan Bardella, head of National Rally (RN), "the most strategic positions of the State will be reserved for French nationals." This was said this week. The policy would prevent dual-national French citizens from holding extremely sensitive jobs, the list of which will be established "by decree"
French filmmaker sounds alarm on rampant Racism ahead of election
FRANCE-In an effort to stop the extreme right, award-winning French filmmaker Alice Diop has issued a warning against "rampant racism" in her country and organized a group to encourage people living in housing estates to cast ballots in the next snap election. Is France ignoring a growing racism problem? The tagline of the entertainment website Allociné, sometimes known as the "French IMDb" since it is the preferred movie platform in France, encourages users to be "more than just spectators." The French Filmmakers Society (SRF), which has
Racism and Islamophobia drive muslim professionals to exit France
FRANCE- there is a "climate of Islamophobia" that is driving French Muslims to immigrate to the UK and Canada. Why are muslim professionals leaving France? Muslim women in France experience significant prejudice, which results in a lack of social acceptability, particularly for those who are clearly recognized as Muslims. This frequently forces people to look for employment alternatives outside of France. Although the strong laws prevent women who wear headscarves from working in the public sector altogether, they serve as a foundation for discrimination against
France on the brink: A socialist’s urgent appeal to confront fascism
FRANCE-According to French media sources, President Emmanuel Macron might declare an emergency and suspend the legislature by using Article 16 of the constitution. What drives France's fascist resurgence? Authoritarian forces are not limited to far-right groups such as the National Rally of France (RN). The whole capitalist elite is discussing a return to dictatorship because they are anxious to intensify both the domestic class conflict and the confrontation with Russia. If workers are subject to social-democratic and pseudo-left groups, like the New Popular Front in France,
Massive protests erupt across France against far-right ahead of snap elections
FRANCE-Amidst intense campaigning ahead of early legislative elections, anti-racism organizations joined French unions and a newly formed left-wing alliance in protesting the far-right nationalist movement that is on the rise throughout the country. Why are hundreds of thousands protesting in France? According to France's interior ministry, officials expected between 300,000 and 500,000 protestors nationwide on Saturday, with some 21,000 police and gendarmes stationed at demonstrations. Before marching, many in Paris who were afraid that the elections might result in the formation of the country's first far-right
Rape of Jewish girl ignites antisemitism debate in French election campaign
FRANCE-The reported sexual assault of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in what is believed to be an antisemitic incident has shocked the entire country and elevated antisemitism fears in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. How is antisemitism shaping the French election campaign? After attempting to distance itself from antisemitic past, the anti-immigration National Rally party is leading in pre-election polls and might form a government for the first time if it wins the two-round elections that conclude on July 7. Since the Nazi occupation, it would
French Muslim school faces uncertain future amid funding cuts
FRANCE-Staff and students at Lille's Averroès high school are concerned about their future after it was revealed by French authorities that public funding will be discontinued due to management issues and instruction they believed to be incompatible with secular French principles. Is France turning its back on Muslim students? Sihame Denguir moved her teenage son and daughter from their middle-class suburban Parisian home 200 kilometers (125 miles) away to the largest Muslim private school in France last year, which is located in Lille, a northern city.
Unity over hate: Macron’s plea to French voters amid rising racism
FRANCE-After his party suffered a humiliating defeat in the European parliamentary election, French President Emmanuel Macron defended his decision to schedule early legislative elections, stating on Wednesday that voters will eventually favor the "progressive bloc" over the far-right. Will Macron's gamble pay off? Legislative elections determine the composition of the French parliament, not the president's occupant of the Elysee Palace. Macron declared he will not resign from office before the conclusion of his tenure, which runs until 2027. The solemn-looking leader of France claimed that calling
