Activist’s Killing Heightens Tensions Between France’s Far Right and Far Left

The beating death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old who was attacked in Lyon, has become a flashpoint between France’s far right and far left as the country heads into local elections next month and a presidential vote next year. Eleven people have been arrested, including two aides to a lawmaker from France Unbowed.

Far-right leaders seized on the killing to condemn the far left. Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, called it “a turning point” and said “The far left has killed,” placing blame on Jean‑Luc Mélenchon and citing the party’s links to La Jeune Garde, a banned antifascist group.

Mr. Mélenchon rejected the accusation, acknowledged ties to La Jeune Garde but said the party did not give it orders; one lawmaker whose aides were arrested said he had moved to dismiss one of them. The attack followed clashes outside a conference in Lyon, where Mr.

France, Lyon

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