It is impossible to achieve anything in the French parliament without the support of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN), party leader Jordan Bardella has said.
In an interview with BFMTV on October 14, Bardella said his party intended to push the current French Government towards the Right, describing it as the key party strategy going towards the next elections.
“Nothing can be done without us in Parliament and French political life,” the party leader, who is also an MEP within the Patriots for Europe group, said.
Bardella nevertheless welcomed the fact that, according to him, some of the French Government’s recent announcements came from the RN immigration textbook, such as certain elements of the new immigration law regarding the prolonging of illegal migrants’ stays in detention centres.
“We are, of course, eagerly awaiting this immigration law; it is a demand from the National Rally,” he said.
“Not only do I advocate for [the new immigration law] but I had proposed it during the European elections and the legislative election campaign. Therefore, if this measure from the National Rally is put to a vote, the MPs will vote in its favour.”
The RN appears to be relishing its role as a kingmaker in France’s lower legislative chamber, seemingly pushing for reforms without assuming full responsibility for their outcomes.
In her October 1 speech in parliament, the party’s de facto leader Marine Le Pen issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Michel Barnier, warning that the RN could potentially bring down his government if he failed to play ball.
Bardella reinforced her words: “If this government continues Emmanuel Macron’s policies, we will censor them in the National Assembly.”
That position in parliament, though, could also become a double-edged sword.
The French Left aims to exploit the RN’s standpoint until the next election, framing any unpopular government measures as having the tacit approval of the hard-right party.
“Bardella claims that Barnier cannot do anything without the RN. Direct consequence: everything that is done receives their approval,” Communist Senator Ian Brossat commented.
Anticipating the growing speculation, Bardella stated there was “no immigration-for-budget deal” with Barnier’s government.
“What distinguishes the majority from the opposition is the budget vote. So, I repeat, we will not support this budget,” he stated.
