French Public's Growing Insecurity and Political Tensions Over Safety in Nantes

A recent CSA poll reveals that 72% of French people feel there is no longer any safe place in France, a slight increase from 70% in May 2025. Women express higher insecurity than men, with 76% of women and 66% of men feeling unsafe. The sentiment spans age groups, notably 75% of those aged 18-24 and 74% of 35-49-year-olds. Political affiliations heavily influence these views: 93% of Rassemblement national supporters and 80% of Républicains see France as unsafe, compared to 59% of the presidential majority and lower percentages on the left, including 31% among La France insoumise supporters. In Nantes, this sense of insecurity has fueled heated political debate. During a campaign visit, Bruno Retailleau, president of the Republicans, vehemently criticized Socialist Mayor Johanna Rolland for what he described as fostering insecurity by allowing violence to escalate and proposing to welcome undocumented migrants. Retailleau also condemned a publicly funded artwork depicting police violence, which he said promoted anti-police sentiment. The city has seen a surge in violence linked to drug trafficking, with recent police operations leading to 38 arrests. Retailleau and right-wing candidate Foulques Chombart de Lauwe emphasized the urgent need to restore order in Nantes, condemning the left's approach as ideological and ineffective. This clash highlights the persistent tension between public perceptions of insecurity across France and the political responses, especially at the local level, as safety concerns remain a pivotal issue in the 2025 political landscape.