President Emmanuel Macron has issued a hyperbolic warning about the potential for "civil war" should populist parties gain power in the forthcoming legislative elections. Macron has  labeled the "political extremes" represented by Marine Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s left-wing New Popular Front as dangerous.

The President argues that both the right-wing and leftist-populist agendas could exacerbate national divisions, citing the right's focus on identity and the left's push toward communitarianism. His claims are supported by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who accuses both parties of nurturing a cycle of hatred and division that threatens the social fabric of France.

However, Macron's critics, including Jordan Bardella of the National Rally, accuse the President of fearmongering. Bardella points to the substantial unrest and rioting that occurred under Macron’s watch—most notably last year's extensive riots following a police incident, which he argues are indicative of the failures of Macron's administration rather than the danger posed by populism.