30,000 French police deployed Sunday amid fears of election result riots

Around 30,000 police officers will be deployed across France on Sunday (July 7) evening, amid fears that election results will spark violence. 

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced the increased police presence on France 2 this morning, with the additional forces being deployed “during the evening of the elections… and throughout the night.” 

“It's a very big operation to ensure that the ultra-left and ultra-right do not take advantage of the result to create disorder,” he said. 

Out of the 30,000 officers, 5,000 will be in Paris and the surrounding suburbs, traditionally left-wing areas of the country. 

Currently, the far-right Rassembelment National are projected to gain the most seats, although it is not clear whether they will win an absolute majority.

Read also: Map: confirmed results around country from French election first round

Mr Darmanin is up for re-election in the second round, for the 10th circonscription of the Nord department. 

Earlier in the election campaign, he expressed fears over ‘civil unrest’ in autumn as a result of Sunday’s results. 

He said that violence may erupt immediately after the elections and during the summer, but that it may increase in volume as the subsequent government begins to enact policies.

Government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot and her team were attacked whilst putting up campaign posters in Meudon, Hauts-de-Seine. 

The minister was not physically injured, but one of her colleagues was taken to hospital after a passerby on a scooter hit them.