Spokesman for French government targeted in election campaign assault

A government spokesman in France and Member of Parliament for President Macron’s party was attacked while putting up election campaign posters in Paris. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on July 4 that Prisca Thevenot, government spokeswoman and undersecretary for democratic renewal, and members of the election campaign team were attacked by four people in the Meudon area of Paris while they were putting up posters. The Prime Minister condemned the incident, calling for the rejection of violence in the country.

The attack took place as they were hanging posters in the Hauts-de-Seine electoral district, west of Paris. The group was surrounded and attacked by about 20 people, resulting in one member of the group suffering a dislocated jaw. The police intervened promptly, but one political activist and MP Virginie Lanlo were hospitalized after the attack. The suspects, including three minors, were arrested on charges of attacking public officials with a weapon.

Ms. Thevenot, who is of Mauritian origin, has spoken out about the rise of far-right extremism that has made her and her family targets of racist comments. The motive of the suspects in the attack has not been announced by French authorities. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for action to address the climate of violence and hostility in the country.