Le Pen changes strategy
Rassemblement National wants to govern even without a majority
02.07.2024, 14:02
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Until now, the French right-wing populists’ line was clear: the party only wanted to form a government with an absolute majority, party leader Bardella had repeatedly asserted. But now his predecessor Le Pen is taking a completely different tone.
The French right-wing populists of the Rassemblement National (RN) want to form a government even without an absolute majority. Their cabinet should also include supporters from other parties and representatives of civil society, said former party leader Marine Le Pen to the broadcaster France Inter. “It will be a competent government,” she stressed. “If we get a majority, then of course we will do what the voters elected us to do.”
In doing so, Le Pen deviated from the previous line of party leader Jordan Bardella, according to which he would only take over the office of prime minister in the event of an absolute majority. “If we have around 270 seats and still need 19 MPs, then we will approach the others,” said Le Pen. “Several right-wing, but also left-wing MPs have shown a closeness to our positions.”
Meanwhile, a candidate from the RN withdrew her participation in the runoff election after a photo of her wearing a Nazi Luftwaffe peaked cap with a swastika became known. According to the broadcaster France Bleu, the photo was taken from a no longer accessible Facebook profile belonging to candidate Ludivine Daoudi. She received 20 percent in the first round in Calvados in northern France.
Another RN candidate risks not being able to take up his mandate if he wins the second round because he has a legal guardian because of mental health problems. The 65-year-old came second in the western French Jura with 33 percent. People who are under guardianship cannot stand for election. Neither the person concerned nor the party wanted to comment on the matter when asked.
The runoff election next Sunday will decide the distribution of seats in the National Assembly. 289 of 577 seats are needed for an absolute majority. The right-wing populists were ahead in 297 constituencies in the first round of voting. However, the effects of the withdrawal of numerous candidates in constituencies in which three candidates survived the first round cannot yet be estimated.