France, still a democracy ?

You might have heard of it. Last Sunday were held the European elections in every European country. For those of you who are not familiar with the way it works, let me tell you. Each country has a designated number of seats at the European Parliament. This number is proportional to the number of inhabitants each country has. Now, the Parliament is divided in 3 main sides :

Our current president, Emmanuel Macron, was elected in 2017 with a new party, from the center. He has been reelected on 2022. Since his election, France has witnessed a lot of dramatic events followed by a lot of dramatic protests. The popularity of Macron, which was skyrocketting as he was first elected, never stopped dropping through the years, due to his despising behaviour. Not only did he ignore the warnings, the claims and the complaints, but he also spat straight at those who tried to make him realize the facts. 

Anyway, that was just for the context. Usually the presidential majority always has the highest number of seats following an election. So, the odds were alledgedly all with the Renaissance Party (Macron's party). However, the polls were giving another party ahead of Renaissance (litterally, Renewal). That party is Rassemblement National (RN, litterally National Gathering). The RN is very controversial. Its former leaders were very problematic and that image got stuck to the party despite changing leaders ever since. Its electors are considered racists or even fascits by the left wing electors we'll talk about right after.

However, RN has done a huge job in polishing its image and their representatives (Jordan Bardella - Marine Le Pen) are well-known for their eloquences. And, on Sunday night, France learned that the RN had gathered 32% of the votes, meanwhile Renaissance did not even halve this number, with a tiny 14% of votes. Thunderstorm, the president lost. 

That could be the end of the story, but if it was, France would not be the funny country you know.

Immediately, the reactions sparked all over social networks. Many left-wing youngsters, swarming on TikTok or Instagram, started launching hashtags to gather and organize massive vandalism "against the extreme right".

The left-wing was represented by Manon Aubry, and the party is called La France Insoumise (litterally The rebellious France). It was initially created by Jean-Luc Melenchon, a very famous politic figure, known for his wild reactions and statements. Just like the RN, he himself is very controversial. This party prides itself on being one of the great bearers of democracy because it gives some voice and power to the minorities. However, it is also known for having members proudly not recognizing the attacks on Israel, many of their members are on the verge of sounding antisemitic. Some are sued for embezzlment and some others for sexual assault. 

Anyway, since they are the so-called "preachers of democracy", many young people agree with their ideas. However, they are so good at manipulating, that a new doctrine has emerged : "right wing goes to hell". 

Thus, many of the right-wing votants have been threatened of death, of rape. Many infrastructures have been vandalized or destroyed, because known for being close to the right-wing in a way. In Angers, a quiet city at the west of France, a bar has been completely demolished after demonstrators rushed in after thery learned the boss had voted RN. 

There's plenty more to say, but my writing's already too orientated, so I'll just stop there for the moment. I just wonder how, France, the country of democracy, has turned into a country on the edge of a civil war between the left and the right. This country is undergoing a very clivant and divisive atmosphere, where one side is afraid to say what they think in fear ogf being threatened to death...

NB : I am initially not inclined to any party. I could vote left or wing, as long as it is an extreme. However, recent events have orientated me and I've tried my best through this article to recognize facts.