Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National – RN) party parliamentary group, is surrounded by journalists as she arrives at the RN party headquarters in Paris, France, June 10, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Eric Ciotti, the leader of France’s conservative Republicans (LR), has called for an alliance between his party’s candidates and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) in the upcoming snap parliamentary election. This move signals a significant shift in French politics, as it breaks the long-standing consensus among mainstream parties to unite against the far right. Ciotti’s remarks on TF1 TV emphasized the common ground between LR and RN, stating, “We say the same things so let’s stop making up imagined opposition.” He argued that the majority of their voters desire a deal. This stance has caused considerable turmoil within LR, with several lawmakers leaving the party. Philippe Gosselin, an LR lawmaker, expressed his opposition to any alliance with RN, indicating that dissenting lawmakers might form a new group. Despite the internal conflict, Ciotti maintains control of LR, although the party faces challenges in fielding candidates before the weekend deadline. Meanwhile, Marion Marechal, Le Pen’s niece, announced that Eric Zemmour’s smaller far-right party failed to secure an election deal with RN. France’s left-wing parties have pledged to nominate joint candidates, although they have not finalized a formal agreement. The RN is projected to become the strongest force in the parliament but may fall short of an absolute majority, according to a recent opinion poll. In response to Ciotti’s proposal, RN welcomed the potential alliance. However, a parliamentary source within LR estimated that only about ten out of 61 LR lawmakers would support such a deal. Macron’s administration swiftly condemned Ciotti’s comments. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin likened them to the 1938 Munich agreement. Public reaction in Paris was also strong, with some voters expressing feelings of betrayal towards Gaullism’s legacy. Since Macron’s election in 2017, both left and right mainstream parties have weakened, as Macron’s centrist party aimed to transform France’s political landscape. The snap election follows Macron’s Renaissance party’s poor performance in the recent European Parliament elections. This political instability has affected financial markets, with declines in the euro, French stocks, and bonds, and a warning from Moody’s about France’s fiscal challenges. RN’s platform includes protectionist economic policies, significant cuts to immigration, and increased public spending, which could exacerbate France’s debt situation. Macron, in an interview with Le Figaro, defended his decision to call the election, stating it was in the country’s best interest and would provide clarity. He also ruled out resigning regardless of the election’s outcome. According to the latest poll, RN is expected to win 235 to 265 seats in the National Assembly, a substantial increase from its current 88 seats, but still short of the 289 needed for an absolute majority. LR is projected to secure 40-55 seats, suggesting that a combined total with RN might achieve an absolute majority, though this remains uncertain.
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