People of diverse backgrounds in France welcome far right's defeat, but fear a rise in hate speech
For many French voters of diverse backgrounds, last Sunday’s parliamentary election results were a relief
PARIS (AP) — For many French voters of diverse backgrounds, last Sunday’s parliamentary election results were a relief, seemingly an embrace of the country’s ethnic variety instead of a victory for xenophobic far-right forces.
“It was a moment of joy, a light at the end of the tunnel,” Loven Bensimon said about the ballot results. She celebrated Sunday with thousands of others who rallied against the far right at Place de la Republique in Paris around a giant patchwork French flag that read, “France is the fabric of migrations.”
“But the fight is not over,” said Bensimon, 27, a Black woman who works in communications. “We have to fight against the racism we face every day, and which has been more visible in the past few weeks.”
Thought to be on the verge of seizing a majority in the National Assembly, the anti-immigration National Rally eventually came in third in Sunday’s vote, after centrists and leftists joined forces. Candidates in three-way races dropped out of the runoff to favor the challenger considered most likely to beat the far right.
