Rise in Extreme Right-Wing Political Violence Shakes France Since 2022

Since 2022, France has experienced a disturbing escalation in political violence linked to extreme right-wing groups, highlighted by recent deadly incidents and an increase in related arrests. One significant event was the death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque following a violent confrontation at a conference in Lyon on February 12, 2026. Ten individuals were detained afterwards, with seven charged; most are members of the now-dissolved Jeune Garde antifasciste, a radical left organization, and one charge involved an aide to a leftist MP from La France Insoumise (LFI).

Sociologist Isabelle Sommier, who studies political violence, notes a sharp rise in such incidents since 2016, with a fivefold increase in confrontations and more than double the assaults. She points out that far-right extremists predominantly perpetrate political violence that often targets people of color and political adversaries. Her research indicates ideological political violence now makes up 53% of violent acts, a shift from previous years when independence movements featured more prominently.

Statistical data further corroborates the growing influence of extreme right-wing violence. Historian Nicolas Lebourg’s research shows that between 1986 and 2014, 48 out of 53 political murders in France were committed by extreme right militants. More recently, from 2022 to 2026, twelve homicides have been attributed to the extreme right, with five occurring during the 2022 presidential campaign, a period also marked by the prominence of far-right figures such as Marine Le Pen and Éric Zemmour. Arrests related to terrorism connected to the extreme right increased significantly, with 29 arrests recorded in 2021, up from just five in 2020.

Political tensions are exacerbated by contrasting narratives among far-right leaders. Marion Maréchal Le Pen downplayed the significance of extreme right violence, calling it statistically negligible, a claim contradicted by detailed statistics. In contrast, Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement National, accused the extreme left of violence and called for a "republican cordon" against LFI.

These developments illustrate a volatile domestic security situation in France, with far-right violence on the rise and the political landscape sharply divided. The death of Quentin Deranque and subsequent legal actions have sparked debates over political responsibility and the potential exploitation of violence in the lead-up to forthcoming elections.