The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) recently released its annual report on the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. Surprisingly, no one from the Prime Minister’s office attended the presentation of the report, a tradition that has been upheld for over thirty years. The report, based on interviews with a representative sample of 1,210 people, revealed alarming figures just before the upcoming legislative elections. The longitudinal tolerance index, which measures the evolution of prejudices among the French on a scale of 0 to 100, dropped by 3 points in a year, reaching 62. This decline, described as significant and rare, was noted by political scientist Vincent Tiberj, one of the report’s co-authors.
Despite the decline in the index for the second consecutive year, it remains among the highest levels recorded, far from the levels seen in the early 1990s and 2010s. Factors such as higher education levels, generational renewal, and a more diverse population have contributed to a decrease in biological racism, the belief in the superiority of certain races over others. The majority of French people are now quick to denounce discrimination, with 79% believing that a vigorous fight against racism is necessary in France. While a majority of citizens remain open, Tiberj points out that many do not vote, giving more radical right-wing voters an edge at the polls, with a growing percentage of supporters of parties like the National Rally (RN) and The Republicans admitting to racist views.
The success of far-right parties like the National Rally is fueled by a multi-faceted xenophobia that places immigrants at the center of intolerance. Beyond traditional stereotypes, this xenophobia has economic and social dimensions, with some French people feeling that immigrants are taking resources away from social services, especially healthcare. Additionally, there is a perceived link between immigration and insecurity, as well as tensions around the integration of Islam into French values like women’s rights and secularism. These complex issues contribute to the popularity of far-right parties, as evidenced by the improved image of the National Rally in the eyes of the French population.
The report’s findings shed light on a worrying trend of rising intolerance and racism in French society, despite overall positive attitudes towards diversity and immigration. The significant number of French people with racist views, especially among the far-right electorate, poses a challenge to efforts to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity. The current political and social climate in France, marked by economic challenges, concerns about security, and debates around cultural identity, has created fertile ground for the spread of xenophobic and discriminatory attitudes. It remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed by policymakers and society at large in the future.
