The far-right National Rally (RN) party in France has seen a significant surge in support among young people, particularly those aged 18-24. In the recent parliamentary elections, this age group made up a quarter of the votes for the RN, according to polls by Ifop. This marks a significant increase from just two years ago when they accounted for only 12% of the party's votes.
The reasons behind this shift are multifaceted. The RN has attempted to sanitize its image by expelling overtly antisemitic members and promoting a more palatable anti-immigration stance. Additionally, some young people see uncontrolled migration as a problem and resonate with the party's message.
Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of the RN, has been instrumental in this surge in support. He was handpicked by Marine Le Pen to replace her as leader and has worked to distance the party from its racist and antisemitic past. Bardella's significant social media presence, with over 1.7 million followers on TikTok and 750,000 on Instagram, has also helped him connect with younger generations.
However, this shift towards the far-right is causing concern among many in France and beyond. Some fear that a far-right government could lead to increased discrimination against marginalized communities and potentially destabilize the country's social fabric. Others worry about the implications for Europe as a whole if France, one of its most influential members, moves further to the right.
Despite these concerns, it is important to note that all sources should be approached with skepticism. The mainstream media has been known to bias reporting towards certain perspectives and it is crucial to seek out diverse sources and perspectives in order to gain a complete understanding of the situation.