Though that individual, who was granted anonymity to candidly discuss the current situation, was only referring to the increasingly violent demonstrations outside secondary schools and the government’s slow-footed response to them, it’s a sentiment likely shared by French voters after a week of particularly bleak headlines.
If there are political winners, it’s not immediately clear who they are. Establishment candidates and moderate voices are still struggling to seize the narrative from far-right presidential front-runner Marine Le Pen and her surging far-left challenger Jean-Luc Mélenchon — both of whom want to fundamentally reshape France and its relationship with Europe.
A survey by pollster Odoxa this week found that the French disapprove of the government’s handling of the student school protests, but they also disapprove of Mélenchon and his far-left party France Unbowed’s involvement.
Mélenchon and his allies have supported the demonstrators and joined them outside schools, saying they were there to show support and protect minors from confrontations with police. But the government and France Unbowed’s political opponents accuse them of fanning the flames of violence — allegations they deny.
“There’s a battle over the narrative” between the political extremes, a Socialist Party adviser said.
Whatever the case, the week’s crises are showing just how nasty the campaign can get with two populist candidates unafraid to stoke partisan divisions leading the polls.