Macron orders review of violent activist groups after fatal beating of far-right activist
LYON, France (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron will hold meetings next week to review violent activist groups, after a far-right student died following a beating in Lyon in an incident that highlighted a climate of deep political tensions ahead of next year’s presidential vote.
Speaking at the Paris Agricultural Show, Macron called on “everyone to remain calm” ahead of tributes organized on Saturday by far-right groups for Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old who died of brain damage in a hospital last week. The demonstrations will take place under close police surveillance.
“It is a moment of remembrance and respect for this young compatriot killed, for his family and his loved ones. This must come first. And then it is a moment of firmness and responsibility,” Macron said.
Seven people faced preliminary charges. The Lyon public prosecutor’s office requested that each of them be indicted for intentional homicide, aggravated violence and criminal conspiracy. Six of the defendants were charged with all three counts. The seventh was charged with complicity in intentional homicide, aggravated violence and criminal conspiracy.
Deranque was attacked during a fight that broke out between far-left and far-right supporters on the sidelines of a student meeting where a far-left lawmaker, Rima Hassan, was the keynote speaker.
Macron said he would hold a meeting with ministers to carry out a comprehensive review of all violent activist groups with links to political parties. He suggested that some groups could be dismantled.
“In the Republic, no violence is legitimate,” he declared. “There is no place for militias, wherever they come from. We must be absolutely uncompromising.”
The main tribute to Deranque took place on Saturday in Lyon, where clashes between far-right activists and far-left groups have become frequent. The far-left militant groups in Lyon are more recent and were created in reaction to the numerous far-right groups present for several decades. The city is considered by intelligence services to be the cradle of far-right activism in France.
Deranque’s parents also called for calm and will not participate in the tribute, which has not been banned by French authorities.
Deranque’s death triggered a storm of recriminations, mainly accusing France Insoumise and its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Among the suspects is the parliamentary assistant of a France Insoumise MP, Raphaël Arnault, who created the anti-fascist group La Jeune Garde.
Opponents of France Insoumise accuse it of fomenting violence and tensions with its combative far-left policies. Mélenchon condemned the violence and insisted that his party was not responsible for the tragedy.
Mélenchon ran for president in 2012, 2017 and 2022, and failed to qualify for the decisive runoff. He is preparing for another bid expected next year, at the end of Macron’s second and final term.
France is holding municipal elections next month and right-wing political forces have used the incident to demonize rebellious France. The far-right leader of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, called for a common front against Mélenchon’s party, while criticism also came from figures on the left.
