In France, recent reports from Le Figaro indicate that the ongoing unrest has impacted 564 schools and educational institutions, with approximately 600 individuals arrested today amid continuing high school protests.
In a related development, the French Minister of Justice has accused Jordan Bardella, the de facto deputy of Marine Le Pen, of making “shameless lies.” This accusation follows Bardella’s dismissal of new evidence from an investigative platform that claims he posted antisemitic comments on social media. He characterized these revelations as “crude fabrications” and “manipulated screenshots,” insisting that he never made the statements attributed to him.
The investigative website Mediapart published messages on Monday that purportedly date back to 2013, when Bardella was a 17-year-old activist with the far-right National Rally (RN) led by Le Pen. The messages allegedly include statements such as “the Jew has to dominate other peoples, crush them, and rob them,” and “all the banks are owned by Jews.”
Mediapart asserted on Thursday that it had verified the authenticity of the messages, primarily obtained via Messenger, Facebook’s messaging platform. The website claimed that two close sources provided these messages, which were authenticated by Meta, Facebook’s parent company, with data extraction certified by a bailiff.
The report detailed that the extraction confirmed the date of the conversation, ensured it had not been altered, and verified that the individual involved was indeed recognized by Meta as Jordan Bardella. It also mentioned biographical references within the conversation, such as Bardella’s Italian heritage and his unsuccessful attempt to pass the entrance exam for the prestigious Sciences Po university.
In response to the allegations, Bardella, who created a new Facebook profile to advance his political career in late 2013, announced on Tuesday that he had filed a formal defamation lawsuit. He reiterated his denial on Thursday, stating that he would also pursue legal action for “forgery and use of forgeries.” He claimed that the evidence presented was “not evidence at all” and would not withstand scrutiny in court, asserting that the investigation was falling apart and that the French populace would recognize it as a blatant fabrication.
These allegations arise just seven months before the upcoming presidential elections, where Le Pen is currently leading in opinion polls. Bardella is anticipated to assume the role of prime minister if Le Pen secures victory. However, this controversy poses a threat to her long-term efforts to reshape the RN’s image, which has historically been linked to antisemitic sentiments, particularly those of its founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who is also Le Pen’s father.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed confidence on Friday that there is “little doubt” Bardella made the controversial remarks. He questioned whether the French people would accept a prime minister who is not only antisemitic but also dishonest in the face of overwhelming evidence, suggesting that Bardella’s strategy raises serious concerns about his fitness for public office.
Olivier Faure, leader of the French Socialist Party, accused Bardella of lying and highlighted a dual issue: his alleged antisemitism and dishonesty in politics. Faure noted that Bardella could have adopted a different defense, acknowledging past mistakes by stating, “I was young, I’ve changed since then,” but instead chose to deny the allegations outright.
Meanwhile, as heavy rainfall begins to soak eastern Spain, authorities are preparing for severe weather conditions over the weekend. Valencian officials have closed schools, impacting nearly half a million students, while lockdown measures have been implemented in several towns across three regions of Catalonia. Red warnings for “extraordinary danger” have been issued in areas of Tarragona and along the Castellón coast.
This rainfall follows a period of devastating flooding nearly two years ago, exacerbated by climate change, which resulted in over 240 fatalities, primarily in the Valencia region. Spanish climate scientists have linked this season’s heavy precipitation to a significantly warmed Mediterranean Sea, which has seen temperatures rising by 4°C above normal for this time of year, following an unusually hot summer in western Europe. The increase in sea temperature leads to greater evaporation and allows for heavier downpours.
In southern Spain, local authorities are also preparing for torrential rain in the coming days. Additionally, right-wing parties in Spain have announced their opposition to new housing measures proposed by the Socialist-led coalition government, which are set for parliamentary debate today. The conservative People’s Party, far-right Vox, and the hardline Catalan pro-independence party Junts have indicated they will vote against the measures, which may lead to a contentious standoff regarding housing access in the country.
Public outrage over escalating housing costs surged recently after an incident involving an 87-year-old wheelchair user, Maricarmen, who was evicted from her home of 70 years. Many in Spain view this event as a tipping point in a housing market crisis characterized by an 80% increase in rental prices over the past decade and a 63% rise in home costs.
