Macron urges calm as France braces for rallies over killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque
French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm ahead of nationwide rallies planned in memory of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist whose killing last week, captured on video, has shocked France and inflamed political tensions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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Speaking at a farming trade fair in Paris, Macron urged “everyone to remain calm” before a high-security march in Lyon, where authorities expect 2,000 to 3,000 attendees and possible counter-demonstrations from the hard left. Lyon’s Green mayor had asked the state to ban the gathering, but the event is set to proceed under reinforced policing as officials warn of potential clashes between opposing extremist groups.
“In the Republic, no violence is legitimate,” Macron said. “There is no place for militias, no matter where they come from.” The president added that his administration will convene a meeting next week to “take stock of violent action groups which are active and have links with political parties of any description,” urging both the far right and the hard left to rein in their fringes.
Deranque was beaten to death during a fight that authorities say was recorded and widely shared, amplifying public shock. At the site of the fatal attack, flowers have been laid and the words “LFI KILLS” were painted in red, underscoring the charged atmosphere as rival political camps trade accusations.
The killing has reverberated beyond France. A U.S. State Department official in President Donald Trump’s administration, Sarah Rogers, labeled the attack “terrorism” and said “violent radical leftism is on the rise.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the death “a wound for all Europe,” prompting Macron to urge the far-right leader to refrain from intervening in French domestic matters.
French authorities have charged six men suspected of involvement in the assault. In a separate development, a parliamentary assistant to a radical left-wing lawmaker has been charged with complicity. Officials have released limited details of the investigation as they appeal for restraint amid heightened tensions.
Deranque’s supporters, including activists from the far-right collective Nemesis — which says it exists to “defend Western women” from violence it links to immigration — claim he was in Lyon to protect the group’s members when he was attacked by “anti-fascist” activists. Police have not publicly corroborated the group’s account as they continue to examine footage and witness testimony.
The marches come as France enters a volatile political cycle. Macron, now in his second term and barred by the constitution from running again next year, has framed the response to Deranque’s killing as a broader push to contain street violence, discourage vigilante impulses and prevent parties from tolerating violent affiliates. Interior officials are preparing for a nationwide security deployment around commemorative gatherings and any counter-protests.
While the immediate focus is on preventing street clashes in Lyon and other cities, the episode has intensified France’s simmering left-right confrontation and put pressure on national leaders to clamp down on violent networks. For now, Macron’s message is one of de-escalation: proceed under the law, avoid provocation and allow investigators to determine responsibility.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
