In the lead-up to the tense final round of parliamentary elections in France, a wave of violent and verbal attacks has been directed towards candidates and activists across the country. The alarming incidents reflect the heightened political tension, with the far-right National Rally (RN) emerging as the front-runner in the election.

One of the recent attacks took place in Meudon, southwest of Paris, where Prisca Thevenot, a government spokeswoman, and her deputy were assaulted by a gang of youths while putting up election posters. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the violent act has drawn widespread condemnation.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal accompanied Thevenot on a visit to Meudon, where he condemned the "attacks of intolerable cowardice." Thevenot recounted the ordeal, stating that when she and her colleagues objected to the youths defacing party posters, they were immediately targeted. The deputy suffered an arm injury, while the party activist endured a broken jaw after being punched and hit with a scooter.

Responding to the escalating violence, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has announced the deployment of 30,000 police officers across France for Sunday's vote. This measure aims to prevent any disruptions caused by extremist elements from either the ultra-left or ultra-right factions.

The attacks have not been limited to candidates affiliated with established parties. Marie Dauchy, an RN candidate, described being violently assaulted during her campaign in La Rochette near Grenoble. Nicolas Conquer, a conservative candidate allied with RN, reported being pelted with eggs alongside a female colleague.

The RN, which secured 33.2% of the vote in the first round, is now striving to secure an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly. However, political opponents have vowed to block the far right from gaining enough seats to form a government. Seventy-six seats were claimed outright in the first round by candidates who garnered over half the local vote in their constituencies, including those supported by the RN. The remaining 501 seats will be settled in run-off votes.

In response to the growing fear among minorities, particularly Muslims, Marine Le Pen, the leader of RN, expressed confidence in their chances of winning an absolute majority, provided the electorate turns out in large numbers.

The latest Ifop poll suggests that the RN is projected to win between 210 and 240 seats, falling short of the 289 seats required to form a government. Nonetheless, concerns persist regarding the potential actions of RN if it attains power.

As France prepares for the final round of parliamentary elections, the country remains on edge, with candidates and activists facing violent attacks, and political parties vying for control of the National Assembly. The outcome of Sunday's vote will determine the future trajectory of French politics and the direction the nation will take on critical issues such as immigration, law and order, and the cost-of-living crisis.