
PARIS — The Russian government has expressed clear support for Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in the upcoming French election. In a social media post on Wednesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry highlighted Le Pen’s stance on sovereignty and independence from Washington and Brussels.
“The people of France are seeking a sovereign foreign policy that serves their national interests & a break from the dictate of Washington & Brussels,” the post read, featuring a photo of Le Pen. It was signed by the ministry’s deputy spokesperson, Andrey Nastasin.
Historical Ties Between Le Pen and Russia
Le Pen’s National Rally has a well-documented history of close ties with Russia. The party has previously opposed EU sanctions against Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine. In her 2022 presidential campaign, Le Pen advocated for deeper diplomatic ties with Russia, a proposal that has since been quietly removed from the party’s manifesto to mitigate concerns from France’s international allies.
In 2014, the National Rally took out a €9 million loan from a Russian bank to fund its local election campaign, which it finished repaying last year.
Upcoming Election Dynamics
French voters will head to the polls this Sunday for the final round of a snap parliamentary election. The National Rally garnered over 33 percent of the votes in the first round last Sunday. However, the party’s chances of securing an absolute majority and forming a government have diminished as centrist and left-wing candidates have united to prevent Le Pen’s party from gaining power for the first time.
Implications
The expressed support from Russia may further polarize the French electorate and add an international dimension to the election, complicating Le Pen’s efforts to present her party as more respectable on the global stage. The unity of centrist and left-wing forces highlights the significant opposition Le Pen faces domestically.
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