Victor Chabert with AFP
modified to
07:08, April 17, 2022
Traveling for her campaign, Marine Le Pen declared herself “not obtuse” about the issue of the veil and made a change in tone and vocabulary. The candidate of the National Rally seems to leave the door open to debate in order to avoid any controversy seven days before the second round of the presidential election.
Marine Le Pen was on the move yesterday in Eure-Et-Loir, in Saint-Rémy-sur-Avre. She expressed herself in particular on the question of the veil and showed a change in vocabulary. Before this trip, Friday during an interview, Marine Le Pen spoke of the veil in these terms: “I say that the veil is imposed by the Islamists. And I do not admit it. I think that the ban on the veil is essential”.
“There will be debates anyway”
Questioned again on the subject on Saturday during her trip to Saint-Rémy-Sur-Avre, she gives a more nuanced answer: “These are problems that are complex problems. I am perfectly aware of that, I am not obtuse “There will be debates anyway. The National Assembly will have its say. And I remind you that thanks to my citizens’ initiative referendum, 500,000 citizens can ask the French people to vote on the repeal of a law which they don’t like. I can’t do more democratic than this operation,” she said.
Marine Le Pen smoothes the lines
If on the merits Marine le Pen does not change line, she still wants to ban the Islamic headscarf, she seems to operate a change of direction and leaves the door open to debate. Throughout the week, Emmanuel Macron has used the angle of the veil to attack the Rassemblement National candidate.
She was also taken to task in a market on this subject. In response, Marine Le Pen smoothes the features. This is his whole strategy for the second round of the presidential election. She wants to avoid controversy and anything that could re-demonize her. Even if it means giving the impression of deviating from one’s usual positions.