Alors que de nombreuses villes de France se réveillent ce jeudi après une nuit d’émeutes, la classe politique s’affronte sur les circonstances de la mort du jeune Nahel à Nanterre. Une marche blanche doit se tenir à 14 heures.
The guard dogs order us to call for calm. We call for justice. Withdraw the legal action against poor Nahel. Hang the murderous policeman and his accomplice who ordered him to shoot. Leave the paramedic alone.
I do not see how any political leader making a statement of support for protesters over this heinous act is "opportunistic". It's exceptionally important to have their voices sounding off to maintain momentum and public support.
Say what you will about him not being hard-left enough, I'll give you that. But I don't think it's the time or place for it.
The public is up with pitchforks and a politician makes a call "Yay pitchforks!", I think that is the opportunistic part. Anyone can make the same call for some of the juicy free public attention for themselves - and such a remark isn't good for anything but some camera spotlight.
Most normal people would opt for an investigation from the justice system with a court and judges to make the calls - not a mob with pitchforks or a politician who wants to hang people before a trial even started.
Voices sounding off are very different to voices calling for execution, possibly encouraging vigelante violence. It's the latter that goes beyond political ideas and becomes opportunistic demagoguery.