Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said France Unbowed had a “moral responsibility” for fostering a “climate of violence.”
During a meeting Sunday in support of a local candidate in Montpellier, Mélenchon expressed “empathy for the family of young Quentin” and said that “for [France Unbowed], nonviolence is a fundamental philosophical choice. Violence stunts our movements and brings fear that spreads.”
Hassan on Friday said she had been “horrified” to hear of the attack against Deranque.
“Whenever I travel, the only security service I work with and who accompany me is that of France Unbowed, which never resorts to violence and is in no way involved in these clashes,” she added.
French President Emmanuel Macron responded to Deranque’s death by posting on X, “in a republic, no cause, no ideology can ever justify killing,” without targeting a particular group or political party.
In an interview recorded prior to Deranque’s death, Macron said he believed France Unbowed was a “far-left” movement — a label which has been contested by the party and others on the left, as well as some political scientists — and that some of their positions “contradicted the values of the republic.”
Rare voices of support for Mélenchon have included Green MP Sandrine Rousseau, who said that France Unbowed was the victim of a “cabal,” and Michel-Edouard Leclerc, an influential grocery store chain executive who is sometimes discussed as a potential future presidential candidate.
“Jean-Luc Mélenchon is loud-mouthed, but he is not violent,” said Leclerc. “We cannot blame him for the death of this activist.”