Strasbourg, France – A candidate for the upcoming municipal elections in Strasbourg, Jamila Haddoum, representing La France Insoumise (LFI), was reportedly threatened with a knife while campaigning on Friday, March 6th. The incident, captured in a video released by LFI on Saturday, March 7th, highlights a growing concern over political tensions in the lead-up to the elections scheduled for later this month. The incident occurred as Haddoum, a colistière of Florian Kobryn, was putting up campaign posters with her two sons, aged 15 and 16.
The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by France Insoumise Strasbourg, shows an unidentified man confronting Haddoum and her children, verbally abusing them with insults. “Saloperies, gauchistes de merde,” the man is heard saying before approaching Haddoum in a threatening manner. Haddoum instructed her sons to step back as she attempted to de-escalate the situation, ultimately leading the man to depart. The incident has sparked condemnation from Kobryn and the wider LFI party, who are framing it as part of a broader pattern of intimidation and hostility.
“No one should be threatened with a knife for their political ideas,” Haddoum stated, visibly shaken, according to LFI’s statement. The party has denounced the incident as part of a “deadly climate of hatred and distrust” targeting its elected officials and activists. The incident took place near the Étoile Polygone tram station, according to a statement from Kobryn’s campaign team.
⚠️ Image choquante.La colistière de la liste insoumise à Strasbourg, Jamila Haddoum, accompagnée de ses enfants, s’est faite menacer de mort au couteau hier soir.Nous dénonçons le climat mortifère de haine et de défiance à l’encontre de nos élu•es et de nos militant•es. pic.twitter.com/qr3rDSN4Lh
— France Insoumise Strasbourg (@StrasbourgFI) March 7, 2026
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened political sensitivity following the death of Quentin Deranque, a nationalist activist who died after an assault in Lyon on February 12th. The circumstances surrounding Deranque’s death have drawn criticism of LFI, with some alleging links between the party and the group associated with the activist, according to Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace. Kobryn addressed the situation in an open letter to the citizens of Strasbourg on February 22nd, 2026, condemning violence but also criticizing what he described as a politically motivated backlash against LFI.
Campaign Vandalism Reported
In addition to the threat against Haddoum, Florian Kobryn reported further acts of vandalism targeting the LFI campaign. According to Kobryn, the lock on the campaign office was forced, glue was placed in the lock, and excrement was deposited outside the premises. “I denounce the deadly climate of hatred and distrust towards La France insoumise, which is nevertheless the first bulwark against the rise of the far right,” Kobryn stated in a press release. He confirmed that a formal complaint has been filed with the authorities.
The campaign team has not released details regarding the specific nature of the police investigation, but confirmed that authorities are looking into the incident. The timing of these events, just one week before the municipal elections, raises concerns about the potential for further escalation of tensions. Florian Kobryn is running as the LFI candidate, focusing his platform on social justice, environmental issues, and local democracy, as outlined on his campaign website kobryn2026.eu. His team includes Halima Meneceur, Benjamin Kuntz, Lisa Farault, Victor Demenge, Bahija Elyacouti, and Sébastien Mas, among others.
The incident has prompted calls for increased security measures for candidates and campaign workers during the final stretch of the election period. It also underscores the challenges facing political discourse in France, where debates are increasingly polarized and marked by hostility. The outcome of the investigation into the knife threat and the vandalism will be closely watched as the city prepares to head to the polls.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on ensuring the safety of all candidates and upholding a democratic process free from intimidation and violence. The events serve as a stark reminder of the potential for political disagreements to escalate into dangerous confrontations. We encourage readers to engage in respectful dialogue and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
