Florian Kobryn, the lead candidate for La France Insoumise (LFI) in upcoming municipal elections, has condemned a climate of “deadly hatred and distrust” directed at his party, following a violent threat against one of his campaign members. The incident underscores growing concerns about political polarization as the election nears.
A candidate for LFI in Strasbourg filed a police report Saturday after being threatened with a knife while putting up campaign posters. Jamila Haddoum, a 44-year-old social worker and tenth on Kobryn’s list, was reportedly targeted Friday evening in downtown Strasbourg while with her 15 and 16-year-old children.
“She was threatened with death with the words: ‘I’m going to cut your throat’ and insulted with ‘dirty leftist,’ ‘slut,’ and ‘whore.’ A complaint has been filed,” Kobryn said in a statement, condemning the violence as “unacceptable.” “I denounce the deadly climate of hatred and distrust towards La France Insoumise, which is nevertheless the first bulwark against the rise of the far right. We call for a republican and anti-fascist awakening, as well as an conclude to the campaign in peace, away from the attacks we are facing,” he continued.
Kobryn told the AFP that the attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting the party over the past two weeks. “The lock on the campaign office was forced, glue was put in the lock. Excrement was deposited in front of the office,” he said, adding that the escalation with this latest threat “takes a completely different turn.”
