In France, anti-vax fury, politics make public service risky

By JOHN LEICESTER
Associated Press

LE PECQ, France (AP) — In France, election-time politics and fury among opponents of COVID-19 vaccinations are making public service increasingly risky. An upsurge of physical and verbal attacks directed at public office-holders is ringing alarm bells. Apparent arson attacks in December targeted a lawmaker and a mayor, both aligned with President Emmanuel Macron. Violence has also increased as France’s government has steadily increased pressure on the non-vaccinated to get COVID-19 jabs. In a village in southern France’s Provence region, the mayor has come up with a novel solution to the problem of how to get involved in France’s presidential election without ruffling feathers.