French president Emmanuel Macron has called for calm ahead of marches organised by far-right groups, after a nationalist activist died from a beating in Lyon. Mr Macron said: “This is a moment of remembrance and respect for this young compatriot who was killed, for his family and loved ones. Mr Macron said he will hold a meeting with ministers next week to carry out a comprehensive review of all violent activist groups that have links to political parties. The flashpoint took place in Lyon (AP)Lyon’s far-left-leaning militant groups are more recent and were created in reaction to the many far-right groups that have been present for several decades. The 23-year-old’s death triggered a storm of recriminations, mostly blaming the far-left France Unbowed party and its leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon.

Source: Irish Examiner February 22, 2026 08:31 UTC