Jordan Bardella is the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party. He said his party has plans to deal with the high cost of living. Immigration, law and order are the terms that they really want to focus on. He promised that “we are ready” to govern. He also said that National Rally is the best choice to consider and also our party is the one that meets with what France wants.
Badella hopes to become the next prime minister of France. This is only possible if National Rally becomes the biggest party in the National Assembly, as shown by opinion polls. He and his party want to change the policies regarding to immigration. His party wants to limit the immigration. This can be done by ending the right to nationality (called “droit du sol”) for people who have lived in France for at least five years between the ages of 11 and 18. Foreign criminals are on the target. They want to deport them.
All of these plans are part of their efforts to solve the problems of immigration. It also strengthened the French borders, showing their stance on citizenship and security in the country.
Recent polls show National Rally (RN) is ahead of the left-wing New Popular Front. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party, Renew, is in third place. Macron called for election after RN won in the European elections this month.
Two dates are decided for votes, 30 June and 7 July. But polls say RN might not get the 289 seats needed for a majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.
On Tuesday, the top three groups will have a TV debate. Mr. Bardella from RN will debate Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Manuel Bompard from the New Popular Front. Mr. Attal already said RN’s economic plans are a disaster.
President Macron recently warned in a podcast about the plans of the “two extremes” potentially leading to “civil war.” He pointed out that both the National Rally and France Unbowed, part of the leftist alliance, were problematic.
According to Macron, National Rally divides the people based on their religion and ethnicity. Macron criticized the National Rally for this action. He also said that the far left was splitting the nation into different types of communities.
At the same time, Mr Bardella said that sensitive jobs in defense and security should only be for French citizens. He also added that welfare spending would be cut for non-French citizens.
This announcement might go against the French constitution. So, Mr. Bardella said he might have to put it to a referendum.
Bruno Le Maire is the Finance Minister of France. He is worried about civil unrest. According to him, RN is the cause of disorder and violence. Also Mr. Bardella suggested punishment for those who commit different crimes. It includes drug trafficking and for those who attack public servants. He also advised to close all groups such as left and right that spread violence and disorder.
Furthermore, Mr. Bardella promised to change the education policies. It includes, banning mobile phones in educational institutions and also introduction of school uniforms.
Despite his party’s past ties with Vladimir Putin’s Russia, he emphasized continued support for Ukraine while setting limits on military aid, such as long-range missiles or French troop deployments, as suggested by President Macron.
Cost of living crisis is the main priority of the National Rally party. President Macron’s pension reforms, which are unpopular, would be “repealed in principle,” and they propose allowing those who’ve worked for 40 years to retire at 60.
Many other political parties opposed the National Rally’s policies. According to them, these policies are expensive, especially their pledge to reduce VAT on energy products from 20% to 5.5%, which could cost up to €17 billion (£14 billion), according to France’s economy ministry.
National Rally considers itself as the only strong defense against Jean-Luc Melenchon “extreme left”. Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, is seen as a hard partner for moderate left parties. He is accused of ignoring antisemitism in France, even though attacks have increased. This became a big issue after a 12-year-old Jewish girl was raped and insulted in a Paris suburb last week.
