France to summon US ambassador over comments on far-right activist’s death | The Far Right News
French Government Rejects Political Use of Far-Right Activist’s Death
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced that the U.S. Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, will be summoned to address remarks made by the U.S. embassy concerning the recent killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon.
In an interview with Le Monde as well as public broadcasters France Inter and France Info, Barrot stated, “We reject any attempt to use this tragedy for political purposes.” The exact timing of the ambassador’s summons has not been disclosed.
Deranque, 23, died following a violent incident during a demonstration on February 12 against a left-wing politician from the France Unbowed (LFI) party. His death has intensified political tensions in France ahead of the presidential election scheduled for next year.
President Emmanuel Macron, who cannot run for re-election due to term limits, urged calm on Saturday as approximately 3,000 individuals participated in a march organized by far-right groups in tribute to Deranque.
The U.S. reacted to the killing, with President Donald Trump’s administration labeling the incident as “terrorism.” Sarah Rogers, the undersecretary for public diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State, stated, “Once you decide to kill people for their opinions instead of persuade them, you’ve opted out of civilization.” The State Department’s counterterrorism bureau also highlighted the incident’s implications, warning of the rising threat posed by violent radical leftism, a statement echoed in a message shared by the U.S. embassy in France.
The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between France and Italy, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described Deranque’s death as “a wound for all of Europe.” Macron criticized her involvement in French domestic matters.
Six men suspected of participating in the assault have been charged, along with a parliamentary assistant to a far-left MP accused of complicity.
