During a rally in Etrépagny, Normandy, Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN) deputies in the French National Assembly, declared on Sunday that she did not regret “a single moment” the censorship of the Barnier government. She went on to call the political parties who opposed the decision “hypocrites.” Le Pen, speaking to a crowd of over 1,000 supporters in a local nightclub, described the censorship as a decision made “with calm and determination.”
Le Pen’s comments came in the context of ongoing political battles in France, particularly following the decision to censure the government led by Michel Barnier, former European Union negotiator. “When observing the display of mediocrity and baseness from our political opponents, I do not regret this decision,” Le Pen said, expressing her firm stance on the matter.
A Unified Opposition Against the Government
Le Pen also criticized the political parties that united against the censorship, accusing them of hypocrisy. “In ten days, all these hypocritical parties turned into a single political bloc, which had already formed an unnatural electoral alliance,” she stated. She further emphasized that these parties were “ready to do anything to secure ministerial positions.” This sharp critique underscored the intense political rivalries within the French government and highlighted the RN’s opposition to the growing political unity among other parties.
Le Pen’s speech was a direct response to the political maneuvering surrounding the Barnier government, where opposition parties collaborated to challenge the government’s policies. The RN, under Le Pen’s leadership, has been vocal in its opposition to what it considers a growing alliance of political elites willing to compromise their principles for power.
Economic and Social Concerns
The RN leader also justified the censorship by outlining the economic and social dangers that she believed the Barnier government posed to France and its citizens. “This censorship was decided with calm and determination to protect both our voters and the French people from 40 billion euros in additional taxes, the continuing rise in energy prices, and increasingly massive immigration,” she explained.
Le Pen framed her decision as one driven by a commitment to defending French interests against what she called the government’s detrimental policies. She positioned the RN as a protector of national sovereignty, with a strong stance against higher taxes and the EU’s economic policies.
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Criticism of the FNSEA and EU Trade Policies
Le Pen also turned her criticism on the French National Federation of Agricultural Workers (FNSEA), a key agricultural union that has been supportive of the European Union and free trade agreements. She accused the FNSEA of misleading the French public by insisting that EU policies and trade deals were beneficial to France’s agricultural sector. “This union has been telling us for years that the EU and free trade agreements are a unique opportunity for France, its exports, and its producers,” Le Pen remarked, suggesting that these agreements have not delivered the promised benefits.
Political Reactions and Future Developments
In the aftermath of the censure vote, Jordan Bardella, president of the RN, took the opportunity to comment on the current political landscape. He described the situation as a “deeply political moment” that had “clarified things” in French politics. Bardella took aim at the left-wing parties, accusing them of being willing to align with President Emmanuel Macron, even at the cost of undermining the opposition bloc, the New Popular Front (NFP).
As the political tension continues, new developments are expected. François Bayrou, the newly appointed Prime Minister, is set to meet with parliamentary groups and party leaders starting Monday. According to his office, the meetings will take place in order of the numerical strength of the groups in the National Assembly. Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella are scheduled to meet with Bayrou at 9 a.m. on Monday, marking the first of a series of consultations aimed at forming a new government.
This political saga is shaping up to be a defining moment for French politics, with significant implications for the country’s governance and the future of the National Rally as a political force.
This article is originally published on .europe1.fr
