Far-right French election candidate withdraws over pic of her in Nazi hat
Photo posted on social media shows candidate wearing officer’s hat with a swastika
Ludivine Daoudi was set to contest the second round of the legislative elections this Sunday
Screen capture of Facebook profile of Berlu Lulu
A candidate for the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party has pulled out of this Sunday’s legislative elections, after photos of her wearing a Nazi hat surfaced on social media.
Ludivine Daoudi was listed as the party’s candidate in the first circonscription of Calvados (Normandy) before stepping down.
She came in third place in the first round last Sunday (June 30) with just under 20% of the vote, allowing her to advance to the second round this coming Sunday.
However, photos posted on social media by one of her opponents showed Miss Daoudi wearing the hat of a Luftwaffe officer (German Air Force) dating from World War II.
The hat was black and displayed a Nazi Eagle, as well as a swastika.
You can see the photo below in better detail, as well as the social media from opposition candidate Emma Fourreau:
The photo was originally published on social media site Facebook, although it is unclear whether Miss Daoudi took and posted the photos herself.
The original caption of the photo reads “when you are trying on costumes for the next Arbrazik [a nearby festival]” followed by some laughing emoticons.
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Photo was ‘in bad taste’ says local RN member
Local RN member and fellow candidate in the department’s fifth circonscription Philippe Chapron explained to local media that Miss Daoudi “did not deny” taking the photos, confirming they were legitimate.
“[The photos were taken] a long time ago, when Mrs Daoudi was not a member of the Rassemblement National,” he told France Bleu Normandie.
He added the photos were taken at an arms fair in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives in the department, but that they were “in bad taste.”
Mr Chapron said that the decision to withdraw her candidacy had been taken “jointly between local groups and the head office,” of the party.
“She is withdrawing so as not to prejudice the RN and its candidates… We can't accept this kind of thing,” he added.
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