Far-right National Rally President Jordan Bardella criticized the “scenes reminiscent of civil war,” caused by “predators” who vandalized shops and clashed with police over the weekend. “I tell the French: Wake up because soon they will [be] breaking into your apartments,” Bardella warned as he condemned the disorder’s perpetrators.
The National Rally leader, currently leading in opinion polls ahead of next year’s presidential election, attributed the unrest to France’s population of immigrant descent, describing them as individuals “who are physically in France, but whose spirit and heart is elsewhere,” he stated.
For the French far right, the violence provides an opportunity to focus on strong themes of security and immigration, after recent challenges over economic policy. Bardella and party stalwart Marine Le Pen have shown disagreements on how to reform France’s state pensions and how to address the energy crisis.
The outbreak of violence also allowed the far right to highlight its differences and engage in an ideological battle with the far left, which urged the police to exercise restraint. Recent polls suggest that far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon could qualify for the election’s second round against Bardella or Le Pen next year.
“If tomorrow we lead the country, we will implement penal and security policies that will neutralize predators,” Bardella proclaimed after the violence, adding that his party would eliminate benefits for parents of young offenders and impose tougher sentences on minors.
Nearly 900 people were arrested during the riots, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on Monday, marking a 45 percent increase compared to last year when PSG also won the Champions League.
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