Video of Fires in Bobigny, France, Is Unrelated to French Legislative Election Results
The Claim
In France, followers of leftist parties, including Muslims, are now setting fire to the streets of Paris in rejection of the election results won by the right-wing National Party led by Marine Le Pen.”
News posted on
Emerging story
Following the far-right party's victory in the first round of the French parliamentary election on June 30, social media users widely shared a video clip allegedly showing leftist party supporters setting fires in the streets of Paris in protest against the election results won by the right-wing National Party, led by Marine Le Pen.
An X user posted the video, claiming, “In France, followers of leftist parties, including Muslims, are now setting fire to the streets of Paris in rejection of the election results won by the right-wing National Party led by Marine Le Pen.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral footage and found the claim to be misleading.
The video predates the results of the French legislative elections.
The Bobigny Fires Predate The French Legislative Elections
Contrary to viral claims on social media, the fire that broke out in Bobigny occurred before the results of the French legislative elections were announced.
Préfet de la Seine-Saint-Denis, the police department responsible for Bobigny, issued a statement on the X platform clarifying that the fire in Bobigny, within the Seine-Saint-Denis prefecture, occurred at 5:30 p.m. and is not connected to the June 30 legislative election results.
The police also cautioned against spreading false news regarding the ongoing election from June 30 to July 7, 2024.
The police’s translated statement reads, “A video of a fire in progress at #Bobigny is currently circulating on social networks. This fire took place at 5:30 p.m. and is therefore in no way linked to the results of the legislative elections. @Prefet93 calls for collective responsibility in order not to spread false information.”
Far Right Party Wins First Round in France Election
Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party achieved historic gains in the first round of France's parliamentary election on Sunday, according to exit polls. The RN secured around 34% of the vote, posing a significant challenge to President Emmanuel Macron, whose Together alliance garnered between 20.5% and 23%. The New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing coalition, received approximately 29%.
Despite these results, it remains uncertain whether the RN can form a government to coexist with Macron's pro-EU administration after the run-off next week. Le Pen's efforts to reshape the RN's image have resonated with voters frustrated by Macron, high living costs, and immigration issues. Celebrations took place in Le Pen's Henin-Beaumont constituency, where she addressed supporters, emphasizing the public's desire for change.
The final outcome will depend on political negotiations in the coming days, with traditional center-right and center-left alliances less predictable than before. High voter turnout indicates a potential record number of three-way run-offs, which typically benefit the RN. Macron urged voters to back candidates who are "clearly republican and democratic," excluding the RN and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party. Centre-left and far-left leaders also called for unity against the RN, while the centre-right Republicans party offered no specific guidance.
Moreover, Reuters has uploaded a photo showing a barricade burning as protesters demonstrate against the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN) party. The demonstration occurred at the Place de la République in Paris on July 1, 2024, following partial results from the first round of the early legislative elections.
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