Le Pen Predicts Foresees Far-right Majority and Military Control

Le Pen predicts Foresees far right will secure a majority and gain control over certain military matters. The National Rally chief asserts that Macron will be forced to name her ally as Prime Minister, who would then be in charge of decisions regarding support for Ukraine.

Marine Le Pen has said she expects her far-right National Rally (RN) party to win an absolute majority in France’s general election, form a government, and take over at least some defense and armed forces decision-making – including on Ukraine.

France’s constitution states that the president is head of the armed forces and chairs France’s national defense committees, but also that the prime minister is “responsible for national defense”, leaving the precise role of the premier open to interpretation.

Emmanuel Macron will remain president after the two-round snap elections on 30 June and 7 July but polls suggest he will face a uniquely hostile parliament dominated by two radical blocs, RN and the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) alliance.

Le Pen’s far-right party is expected to emerge as the dominant force in the upcoming parliament, but it remains uncertain whether they will secure an absolute majority. Recent polls indicate that they and their allies could potentially claim between 220 to 260 seats in the 577-seat national assembly.

ALSO READ: France’s FM in Lebanon to Prevent Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

During an interview with the local newspaper Le Telegramme de Brest, Le Pen asserted that Macron will likely have no choice but to appoint her protege, 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, as prime minister due to having a mandate from the French people.

Le Pen emphasized that Bardella, despite lacking government experience, aims to maintain a firm stance without being hostile towards the president, whose term extends until 2027. She mentioned that Bardella’s red lines are clearly defined and that he has no intention of picking a fight with Macron.

Furthermore, Le Pen suggested that the role of commander-in-chief of France’s armed forces is more of an honorary title for the president, as the prime minister holds significant power over financial matters. She also noted that the president may face limitations in sending troops to Ukraine.

In contrast, Macron’s remarks in March about potential Western military intervention in Ukraine caused diplomatic tensions. The US and key EU allies clarified that they had no intentions of sending ground troops to Ukraine. Francois Bayrou, a prominent former minister allied with Macron, criticized Le Pen’s statements as a direct challenge to the constitution.

Meanwhile, at a European summit in Brussels, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, expressed confidence that France’s future government would continue to support Ukraine and remain free from Russian influence, regardless of its composition.

Following a lengthy period of “detoxification” overseen by Le Pen, RN is now positioning itself as a defender of the marginalized everyday citizens of France – even though it has softened some of its more expensive policies to address worries about their economic effects.

ALSO READ: The Voice of France Star, Kendji Girac Seriously Hurt After Shooting

“We’re rational individuals,” Le Pen remarked. “People need to stop believing that doomsday is imminent.” Nevertheless, the party continues to strongly oppose immigration, suggesting reductions or eliminations of social benefits for non-citizens and stricter regulations on citizenship.

Victor Wembanyama, the French basketball sensation playing for the San Antonio Spurs, recently shared his views on the upcoming elections, urging France to steer clear of “extremes”.

He emphasized the importance of distancing oneself from extreme ideologies, stating that they are not the right path for a country like France. Meanwhile, football star Kilian Mbappé, leading France in the European championships, stressed the significance of embracing diversity and tolerance.

These sentiments echo concerns among business leaders, with a survey revealing that many companies would postpone investments and hiring if certain parties were to win the elections. The majority of surveyed bosses also expressed opposition to proposals that could potentially impact the country’s economy negatively.

Marine Le Pen Predicts Foresees, expects her far-right National Rally (RN) party to win an absolute majority in France’s general election, form a government and take over at least some defence and armed forces decision-making – including on Ukraine.