One week after a racist attack in the Yvelines region on October 23 that resulted in one death and seven injuries, thousands of people are expected to gather in Trappes this Friday evening. Among those attending will be several leading left-wing candidates for the upcoming presidential election. However, Yannick Jadot, an ecologist senator and supporter of Socialist Party candidate Raphaël Glucksmann, has publicly lamented the absence of representatives from the right and the political center at the event.
Speaking to Franceinfo on October 30, Jadot stated that the gathering should represent the entire nation. He specifically noted the disappointment regarding the lack of attendance by Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, both presidential candidates, as well as several ministers. Jadot argued that the right, which claims to be republican, is failing to make the necessary effort. He emphasized that the victims of Trappes, including 26-year-old Frenchman Pengo Bossio Wangi who was killed by Kevin T., are children of the Republic, comparable to victims of Mohamed Merah or the Bataclan attacks.
Jadot accused the right and center of having an extremely degraded relationship with the fight for the Republic and against racism. He singled out Edouard Philippe, a candidate for the Horizons party and former head of government under President Macron, criticizing his recent statements. Jadot claimed that Philippe is aligning himself with the far-right by focusing on immigration obsession during a time of student movements and social unrest over the cost of living. This criticism follows comments made by Philippe in an interview with Le Point, where he described integration failure as undeniable and noted the overrepresentation of young people from immigrant backgrounds in recent violence.
Regarding Gabriel Attal, spokespersons for his Renaissance campaign confirmed that the candidate is currently traveling in Brittany and will be represented at the Trappes rally by two of his spokespeople. Meanwhile, Edouard Philippe's team announced that he will attend a separate gathering organized in La Verrière at 4:00 PM.
Beyond the political absences, Jadot called for stricter regulations on media outlets that disseminate racist or antisemitic ideas, asserting that freedom of expression should not equate to the freedom to express hate. He proposed sanctions rather than total bans, citing CNews, owned by ultra-conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, as an example. Jadot suggested a first sanction of a one-hour broadcast ban with a black screen displaying the message "Racism is not an opinion, it is a crime," followed by a one-day ban for repeat offenses.
Sources: Le Monde Politique.