After the storm, a distinct calm settles. The prime minister stated on a Wednesday that the situation has returned almost to normal following a week of unrest sparked by youth from the suburbs. The upheaval lingered in the streets of Nanterre, where the protests began after the death of 17-year-old Nahel M., who was fatally shot by a police officer in a town northwest of Paris. In that area, charred remnants of vehicles and graffiti reading phrases like “Fuck the police, damn the state” and “A cop and a bullet. Social justice” remain visible on streets and billboards.
From June 27 to July 3, neighboring France was shaken by a wave of urban violence more intense than in recent years, reminiscent of the three-week riot in the suburbs during 2005. Two people died in the violence (a teenager shot in the chest by police and a man killed by a protester’s stray bullet). The death of Nahel has left a mark that will likely influence politics, policing, and social discourse in the near term.
Christian, a 63-year-old resident with a son in his forties who lives in the same neighborhood where the riot began, described the scene from a bench on a sunny morning in Nanterre. He shared concerns that political consequences could follow the uprisings, noting that some voices on the fringes have argued that the youth of the suburbs are not well integrated into national life.
The escalation of racist expressions
The surge of xenophobic rhetoric and calls for harsher security measures touched many far-right figures and xenophobic factions, including those aligned with Marine Le Pen and others associated with Eric Zemmour. The unrest spurred a spiral of xenophobic remarks and a push for stricter policing. Some factions advocated for street patrols, while others within traditional conservative circles and police unions supported hard-line responses.
In the aftermath of Nahel’s death, leaders aligned with Le Pen did not publicly condemn the violence, focusing instead on defending the presumption of innocence of the police officer charged with deliberate manslaughter. They also cast the victim as responsible for not following orders and for driving without a license, framing the incident within a narrative of personal responsibility in the face of police action.
As street violence intensified, the verbal escalation grew dangerously close to challenging the rule of law. A majority of police unions, a body with strong ties to far-right currents, described the situation as a war, using terms that stoked the sense of crisis and anger. Some rioters, with an average age around 17, drew criticism that was only tepidly addressed by the government.
“Can only favor neo-fascists”
The expansion of xenophobic sentiment was accompanied by a contest among far-right and right-wing parties to propose tougher security measures. Some leaders urged measures such as a broader presumption of self-defense for police officers. Others argued for sweeping rights that would allow civilian actors to respond with force when faced with intruders. The debate spilled into public discourse, with some voices calling for drastic constitutional changes and nationals to be redefined in terms of loyalty and belonging.
Officials offered quiet but pointed statements about solidarity with law enforcement, while critics argued that the rhetoric risked normalizing violence and stigmatizing communities. The exchange highlighted a broader political rift over how to balance security with civil liberties and how to address underlying social inequalities that fuel such unrest.
The political discourse in France reflected a tense moment for public order and social cohesion. Figures across the spectrum warned that loud, exclusive rhetoric could empower extremist elements and undermine democratic norms. Critics argued that addressing the roots of anger in marginalized neighborhoods—such as unemployment, discrimination, and limited access to opportunities—was essential to reducing future tensions.
In a public exchange, a prominent political figure publicly reaffirmed support for law enforcement while acknowledging the need for accountability and restraint. The incident prompted reflection on how best to protect the safety of all citizens without eroding trust in public institutions.
The evolving conversation underscored the challenge faced by national leadership: to respond with firmness and fairness, maintaining order while fostering an inclusive approach that reduces the appeal of extremist voices. The events signaled that future policy choices would influence the relationship between the state and its diverse communities for years to come.
Eighteen years after the growth of far-right ideas on immigration, Islam, and the perception of the suburbs, authorities retain limited maneuvering room to address entrenched issues such as racism and police harassment. The task remains to prevent social tensions from taking root in peripheral areas and to build a society where every resident feels heard and protected.