The Racial Divide: France Grapples with Election Consequences
FRANCE-The prospect of far-right groups winning the French election has increased minority anxieties that xenophobia and racism would become far more prevalent in French society. Is France's election a referendum on racism? The far-right alliance prevailed in the first round of snap legislative elections in France, while the centrist coalition led by President Emmanuel Macron struggled. Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) party and its allies received almost 33 percent of the vote, nearly twice their percentage from the previous election, according to official statistics given
France’s far-right seeks to consolidate power in decisive vote
FRANCE-The fate of the unexpected parliamentary elections remains uncertain, but opponents of the long-banned far-right party and France's vehemently anti-immigration National Rally hurried to capitalize on an inconclusive first round of voting. Will France's far-right secure a majority in the decisive vote? The National Rally's road to power was made more likely by the first round of voting on Sunday, but there is still a chance that voters might obstruct it in the crucial second round. There are now two possible outcomes for France in what
Human Rights commission warns of spiking racism in France
FRANCE-A human rights commission research in France discovered that anti-immigration beliefs promoted by the country's far-right are fueling an increase in racism throughout the nation. Is France doing enough to combat rising racism? According to the research, there has been a 284 percent increase in antisemitic attacks since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 of last year, and tolerance is "declining towards all minorities." Ahead of the weekend's first round of crucial elections, which saw the far-right National Rally (RN) win the majority, a study was
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
