As tragic as it may be, the death at 23 of Quentin Deranque, beaten to death in Lyon during a clash between far-left and far-right groups, is not entirely illogical. At least considering the surge of violence engulfing our democracy on all levels.
The street, first and foremost, is a traditional arena for shows of force by extremist groups. After a few decades of calm, they are back. On the far left, there are the “black blocs”, radical environmentalists, and “antifascists”, awakened by the 2016 Labor Law or mobilized against development projects. On the far right, identitarian groups have been revitalized by jihadist attacks. Their confrontation was escalating: a tragic outcome was inevitable.
But this violence is also increasingly targeting elected officials themselves. Including the most appreciated ones: mayors. Here are some dramatic as well as emblematic examples. Death, in 2019, of the mayor of Signes (Var), run over by a driver caught in the act of illegal fly-tipping. Arson, in 2023, at the home of the mayor of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins (Loire-Atlantique), over a housing project for asylum seekers. Attack on the mayor’s car, the same year, in L’Haÿ-les-Roses (Val-de-Marne), during urban riots. Knife attack, in 2024, on the mayor of Saint-Brieuc… and the list goes on. No one is spared. Not even Emmanuel Macron, slapped in 2021, in Drôme. A powerful symbol.
For trivial reasons, urban development projects, or building permits, tempers are flaring. Between 2021 and 2022, verbal or physical attacks against elected officials of all territories and affiliations increased from 1,720 to 2,265. Then, in 2023, to 2,759. A sad record. Not very encouraging for aspiring candidates…
The authorities have taken action on the matter with, among other things, a national action plan and harsher penalties. But, unfortunately, bad behavior can also come from the top. Between 1958 and June 2022, the Assembly had only issued 40 sanctions. But between the legislative elections of June 2022 and December 2023, there were no less than 107, most of them against Insoumis deputies. Even if they are just words, they often precede actions. It’s as if our democratic system, designed to channel conflicts related to civic life, now appears powerless to regulate them. A symptom of a serious illness that we urgently need to treat.
