Le Pen calls for a national unity government ahead of parliamentary elections
French Finance Minister warns that the left-wing coalition could lead the country out of the European Union if it wins the elections
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, announced that her far-right party is capable of winning the French early legislative elections and would form a “national unity government” in that case.
The French far-right leader stated, “We have the possibility of winning those elections and forming a national unity government.”
During a visit to Hénin-Beaumont in northern France, she added, “We will gather all the good-willed French men and women who are aware of the catastrophic situation of our country,” adding, “We need to get France out of the impasse.”
She explained that it would be up to Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally and candidate for the position of Prime Minister, to “choose his team” when the time comes.
Le Pen faces significant criticism and charges of embezzlement. The French news agency AFP reported that French prosecutors had ordered her trial for using “European Union” funds to finance her party’s activities.
Members of the conservative Republican party are also preparing to ally with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally before the early French legislative elections at the end of the month.
The National Rally, which has been engaged for several years in a strategy of “de-demonization,” is making progress in polls for the legislative elections, although its possible accession to power worries a large part of the French public. Demonstrations against the far-right are planned for this weekend, called by unions and associations.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the French National Assembly and called for early legislative elections with the first round to be held on June 30.
Macron‘s decision came following a sweeping victory for the National Rally in the European parliamentary elections in France, considered a historic success paving the way for extremists to dominate political life in France.
In contrast, a left-wing alliance raises significant concerns about the country’s future, particularly regarding economic cooperation with major powers such as Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as relations with the European Union.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned that the left-wing coalition that could come to power in France might lead the country out of the European Union, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
He told “France Info” radio that the program of the Popular Front, composed of four left-wing parties, was “complete madness” guaranteeing economic collapse.
He added that if the coalition took power, it would lead to massive unemployment and France’s exit from the European Union.
Meanwhile, the Greens, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party, and France Unbowed announced on Thursday evening that they would run in the elections as a single bloc, and polls indicate that the coalition could secure second place behind the National Rally.
Amid the debate over early legislative elections, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that he was confident France would remain a “strong and important” ally regardless of its future government.
He added in Brussels, “I expect France to remain a strong and important ally in the future. Experience shows that NATO allies have always managed to stay united, regardless of the different parties in power and different parliamentary majorities.”
