French premier calls for 'spirit of responsibility' ahead of Le Pen demonstrations in Paris
'We are here to ensure order is respected and that all forms of expression can take place, while maintaining not only calm, but the necessary mutual respect,' says Francois Bayrou
ISTANBUL
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Friday expressed hope that the three demonstrations planned in Paris on April 6 will proceed with a "spirit of responsibility."
Bayrou’s remarks came as the far-right National Rally party, the presidential camp, and sections of the left prepare for significant gatherings this Sunday.
"We are here to ensure order is respected and that all forms of expression can take place, while maintaining not only calm, but the necessary mutual respect," he stated.
Bayrou, underscoring the principles of a state governed by the rule of law, urged all participants to exercise responsibility and avoid confrontations.
"In a state governed by the rule of law, everyone must have a sense of responsibility and avoid confrontations," he added.
3 protests planned in Paris on same day
Jordan Bardella, leader of Le Pen's National Rally party, said on April 1 that he believed the French people should be outraged by a court's decision to bar French presidential front-runner Marine Le Pen from running for office for five years.
Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal commented to the press on the same day, describing the pro-Le Pen rally as "a demonstration against judicial independence."
Attal also said he would organize a separate rally on Sunday to defend democracy in France and around the world.
Marine Tondelier, leader of the Greens, told public broadcaster Franceinfo yesterday that she did not want all TV channels on April 6 to focus solely on what she called Le Pen’s “grand victimhood narrative.”
The Greens and the far-left France Unbowed party have also called for a counter-demonstration in the capital on Sunday to oppose the far right.
The rallies come after the Paris Criminal Court’s March 31 ruling in the EU funds embezzlement case that far-right leader Le Pen be immediately banned from politics for five years and sentenced to four years in prison—two of which are suspended, and two to be served under electronic surveillance—along with a €100,000 fine.
The court decision means Le Pen will not serve time in prison, and her lawyers have appealed the ruling.
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