‘Racist ideology lodges itself amid austerity politics’: newly elected French mayor on tackling far right

Bally Bagayoko, who was targeted by racist abuse after winning Saint-Denis mayorship, vows to tackle inequality to stem deepening divisions A French mayor who faced a barrage of racist insults that are being investigated by police has called for France to urgently tackle race hatred and stem the rise of far-right ideas ahead of next year’s presidential election. “It has become a lot easier for racist views to be expressed … and unfortunately racist comments are becoming trivialised,” said Bal...

By Angelique Chrisafis in Saint-Denis