The campaign was inflamed by a specific event – the killing in Lyon last month of a 23-year-old far-right activist. Quentin Deranque’s violent death sent political shock waves nationally, with LFI’s leadership, and Melenchon in particular, attacked from across the spectrum. Deranque was severely beaten up during violent clashes between far-right supporters and an anti-fascist group called La Jeune Garde. The confrontation coincided with a protest over a conference hosted in the city by an LFI MEP, Rima Hassan. Deranque suffered brain injuries and died in hospital two days later.