The Rassemblement National (RN) is preparing a defamation lawsuit against Marine Tondelier, leader of the Ecologist party, over comments she made regarding the suspect of the Trappes racist attack. Andréa Kotarac, spokesperson for Marine Le Pen, confirmed that the party would soon engage judicial proceedings against Tondelier. The dispute stems from Tondelier's statement on BFMTV that the suspect, Kévin Tessier, had left-wing political material at his home, implying a political context for his actions. Specifically, she referenced stickers found at his residence reading 'Long live France, RN, proud to be French,' which Tessier had manufactured himself. Tondelier questioned how such a party could be treated as normal when its rhetoric might inspire violence, stating, 'Are we to consider it a party like any other while people kill in its name?' [1]
Kotarac dismissed Tondelier's remarks as 'fake news' and stated that while he is open to debating with political adversaries, he refuses to engage on the basis of misinformation. He emphasized that the RN does not intend to let the accusation stand. Tondelier, speaking on BFMTV, expressed confidence in her legal standing, noting she is accustomed to 'SLAPP suits' ( Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) from the RN. 'I have often been sued by them, never convicted [...] I have always won,' she said. She clarified that she was not accusing an active RN member of acting on orders from Marine Le Pen, but rather highlighting the responsibility of political discourse. 'There is a need for reflection on words spoken on TV platforms, which precede acts and can sometimes serve as ammunition,' Tondelier argued, linking the perpetrator's stated grievances about 'Arabs and Africans' doing the looting to rhetoric from the extreme right. [1]
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