Mass protests erupt at far-right French politician book signing
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Far-right French politician Jordan Bardella's memoir, released just last week, has already sparked controversy in France.
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Far-right National Rally Party President Jordan Bardella arrives to deliver his speech after the first round vote of the legislative election on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Paris. (AP)
In Brussels, police used water cannons to disperse left-wing protesters who gathered to oppose a book-signing event by far-right French politician Jordan Bardella. This comes as the president of the National Rally party was promoting his newly released memoir.
Around 300 demonstrators, organized by left-wing groups and Belgian university students, protested Bardella's event on Wednesday. The protesters chanted anti-police slogans and set off fireworks while attempting to breach a barricade set up by authorities. In response, police deployed water cannons to control the crowd.
Bardella's memoir sparks controversy
Protesters dispersed to other areas of Brussels, reportedly targeting the headquarters of the Belgian far-right party Vlaams Belang. The party's chairman shared a video on X, claiming that a staff member from another company in the building was attacked.
Bardella's memoir, released just last week, has already sparked controversy in France. The book's publisher is suing an advertiser for allegedly refusing to display promotional ads for the book in train stations.
The book's publication also coincides with the trial of National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and other party members, who are facing charges of embezzling EU funds.
Read more: French far-right chief Le Pen in high-stakes embezzlement trial
Dive deeper
In 2022, Jordan Bardella, 27, was elected as the new leader of France’s far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN), marking the first time since the party's founding in 1972 that it will not be led by a member of the Le Pen family. Bardella, who had been serving as interim leader since Marine Le Pen stepped down in 2021 following her election loss to French President Emmanuel Macron, secured an overwhelming 85% of the vote against his rival Louis Aliot, Marine Le Pen's former partner, who garnered just 15%.
Following the National Rally's loss in the elections, Bardella had voiced strong criticism of what he called an "unnatural" and "dishonorable alliance" that he claimed "robbed the French people" of a National Rally victory in the parliamentary elections.
His comments came after the left-wing bloc, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, emerged with the most votes in the second round of the elections, a result largely attributed to widespread tactical voting. "These electoral deals have now handed France over to Jean-Luc Mélenchon's far-left," Bardella stated in July.
As Bardella set his sights on becoming France’s next prime minister, he introduced a controversial proposal ahead of the July 7 parliamentary elections, which he hoped would give the National Rally an absolute majority. He suggested barring individuals with dual nationality from holding "the most strategic posts of state," including key positions in security and defense. According to Bardella, these roles should be reserved exclusively for French citizens. His proposal sparked backlash from left-wing and centrist parties, who viewed it as a prelude to a broader campaign of discrimination.
