French President Macron urges restraint after right-wing youth fatally beaten
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 14, 2026
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French President Emmanuel Macron called for calm and restraint following the fatal beating of a 23-year-old man, Quentin, who was aligned with the far-right. The incident occurred on the sidelines of a conference in Lyon, where Quentin was attacked by a hard-left lawmaker. His death has heightened tensions between France's far-right and hard-left factions, which are both vying for influence ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
Quentin was part of a security team ensuring safety during a protest against Rima Hassan, a hard-left MEP known for her criticism of Israel. He was hospitalized after being attacked on Thursday and later died from his injuries on Saturday. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into suspected aggravated manslaughter, with reports suggesting Quentin may have been ambushed by "organised and trained individuals," some masked, according to the Nemesis collective, a far-right group close to Quentin.
The incident has sparked outrage across the political spectrum. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), described the attackers as "barbarians responsible for this lynching" and demanded justice. Meanwhile, hard-left MP Raphael Arnault expressed concern over rising tensions in Lyon, where similar incidents have occurred in recent years.
The attack has raised fears about political violence in France, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez urging authorities to increase security at political gatherings and campaign offices. As the country grapples with deepening divisions between far-right and hard-left groups, the case of Quentin highlights the fragile state of political stability in Europe.
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/14/2026