Cyberharassment represents a quarter of all attacks recorded, according to the ministry. An increasing figure.
Attacks on elected officials increased by 15% between 2022 and 2023, according to figures obtained on Sunday November 19 by franceinfo from the office of the Minister Delegate, Dominique Faure, in charge of Local Authorities and Rural Affairs, who reports to the Ministry of Interior.
2,387 attacks on elected officials were recorded as of November 12, 2023. This is more than in all of 2022 (2,265 attacks). According to projections, attacks on elected officials will even climb to reach 2,600 by the end of the year. The term “attacks” includes in particular insults, threatening messages, physical violence or even damage to premises.
In detail, these attacks concern mayors (six cases out of 10). These mainly involve threats, insults or insults (70% of cases). Cyberharassment represents a quarter of all attacks recorded, explains the ministry. An increasing figure. On the other hand, physical violence is not increasing and even remains in the minority: in July, the government spoke of 7% of attacks.
A peak in attacks on elected officials after the death of Nahel
These attacks on elected officials were more numerous during the urban violence in July, which occurred after the death of Nahel, killed by police shooting. A peak was observed during this period, in particular in attacks on public property (including public buildings such as town halls or elected officials’ offices).
These attacks, which are on the rise, can be explained in several ways. Still according to the ministry, there is on the one hand the “liberation of speech”, like what had been done on the subject of domestic violence. For several months, the minister and the police have been calling on elected officials to file a complaint, regardless of the seriousness of the act. On the other hand, several national events have been vectors of violence this year: retreats, urban violence, etc.