PARIS — As France approaches its pivotal parliamentary elections this Sunday, candidates are confronting a disturbing surge in violence and hate speech on the campaign trail, highlighting the gravity of the political contest.

Prisca Thevenot, spokesperson for the centrist Ensemble alliance under President Emmanuel Macron, recently endured a traumatic ordeal while erecting election posters in Meudon near Paris. She recounted how a group assaulted her, a deputy, and a party activist, resulting in injuries that necessitated hospitalization. "The symbolic violence of words quickly escalated into physical violence," she told reporters, expressing shock at the incident while maintaining her commitment to the campaign.

Authorities swiftly responded, launching an investigation into what has been labeled a gang assault with a weapon against a public official. The severity of the incident is underscored by the detention of four individuals, including three minors, in connection with the attack.

Across the political spectrum, other candidates have similarly faced assaults and threats. Marie Dauchy, a National Rally candidate in Savoy, was attacked at a food market during her campaign, leading her to withdraw from the race. Marine Le Pen, the party’s leader, denounced the assault on Dauchy as "cowardly," emphasizing the need for respect in the electoral process.

Nicolas Conquer, representing The Republicans, documented an assault on social media while distributing campaign materials in Cherbourg, a moment reported immediately to law enforcement, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the elections.

In another troubling incident, 77-year-old Bernard Dupre, a local official in the Alps, was viciously beaten while posting campaign posters. Olivier Veran, a former Health Minister and candidate, condemned the attack, stressing the imperative to reject the escalating violence and hatred permeating political discourse.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal condemned the prevailing climate of violence, urging a collective effort to uphold civility and democratic principles. Similarly, Marine Le Pen voiced concerns over mounting tensions, advocating for a peaceful electoral process during a televised interview.

Reflecting on her experiences amid heightened racial tensions, Prisca Thevenot, a person of color, candidly discussed the challenges encountered during the campaign. She highlighted the increase in racist attacks, noting a disturbing trend where such incidents are becoming more brazen and unapologetic.

Reports of escalating xenophobia and antisemitism have added to the campaign's fraught atmosphere. In response, Macron’s campaign deployed private security guards to protect a candidate subjected to antisemitic abuse, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In the Paris suburb of Chatou, pamphlets containing racist rhetoric surfaced, prompting legal action by SOS Racisme for incitement to hatred. The group reported a surge in racist incidents across France, reflecting widespread apprehension about the election's divisive impact.

As tensions escalate before Sunday’s vote, various groups, including Antifascist Action Paris-Suburbs, have called for demonstrations to counter the far-right influence. These efforts aim to safeguard democratic values amid fears of a National Rally victory, echoing concerns raised by Minister Fadila Khattabi, who shared personal anxieties about the effect of racist rhetoric on her family.

President Macron's decision to call for snap elections follows a challenging period for his centrist alliance, spurred by a significant defeat to the National Rally in European Parliament elections. The ensuing legislative campaign has evolved into a battleground for competing visions of France’s future, characterized by polarization and heightened societal tensions.