French Riots Make Le Pen Victory 'All But Inevitable,' Says Andrew Neil

The recent wave of violence in France is making a victory for far-right leader Marine Le Pen in next year's presidential election "all but inevitable," according to Daily Mail columnist Andrew Neil.

Neil characterized the disturbances as an "orgy of violence" that signals a fundamental shift in French democracy, which he argues is "determined on the streets" every generation or so. He asserted that this pattern has recently repeated itself.

According to Neil, the riots were orchestrated by "hard-Left activists" aiming to exploit legitimate protests for destructive purposes. He suggested these actions were amplified by supporters of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent figure on the French left.

Neil contended that even if Marine Le Pen faces opposition, "every poll shows her winning" the upcoming elections, particularly if her main opponent is someone like Mélenchon, whom he described as a "Corbyn-like charlatan."

He noted that while initial protests may have begun peacefully, "violent forces took over as soon as the organisers went away, with thugs on the rampage."

The columnist warned that "the orgy of violence in France makes a Right-wing Le Pen victory all but inevitable next year."

Neil's analysis suggests that the current climate of unrest and anti-establishment sentiment in France is significantly boosting the prospects of the National Rally party, led by Le Pen.