Marine Le Pen has issued a stark warning, making it crystal clear that François Bayrou risks facing the same fate as former minister Michel Barnier if he disregards her party’s demands in the budget.
She cautioned, “The same causes will produce the same effects.” Le Pen pointed to Barnier’s downfall, attributing it to his refusal to tie pensions to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which the RN deemed non-negotiable. “He fell because of excessive pride. He thought we would settle for crumbs,” she remarked.
Le Pen emphasized her party’s unwavering stance against tax hikes, especially at a time when many families are barely keeping their heads above water. Rejecting claims that the RN destabilizes the government, she laid the blame squarely on Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of driving up national debt by €1 trillion over seven years and dissolving the Assembly on a false assumption of electoral success. She defended her party’s actions, describing them as constitutional measures aimed at reflecting the will of the 11 million voters who support the RN.
When asked about Macron’s potential resignation, Le Pen avoided a direct answer but hinted at his diminishing ability to govern effectively. “It is up to him to determine whether he can continue in his role while no longer driving anything truly positive for the country,” she noted.
Le Pen didn’t hold back on her criticism of the European Union, calling it “undemocratic and contrary to national sovereignty.” She lambasted the Mercosur-EU trade agreement as emblematic of the European Commission’s disregard for European citizens’ interests. “The [EC President Ursula] Von der Leyen Commission epitomises everything we fight against,” she declared. For Le Pen, such decisions, made without consulting French representatives, are “unacceptable” and further illustrate a fundamental flaw in the EU’s operation.
Regarding the legal trial threatening her political future, Le Pen described it as a “violent and unjust attack.” She highlighted even Leftist support for her stance, quoting Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s description of the trial as a “modern-day Inquisition.” Le Pen argued that a conviction would undermine democratic legitimacy, dismissing claims that the case has influenced her political strategy as “absurd” and “conspiratorial.” She acknowledged, however, that the trial has sparked public concern, exposing how some judges could potentially sway election outcomes.
On immigration, Le Pen proposed sweeping changes, including restricting free movement within the Schengen zone to EU citizens and barring entry to individuals without prior authorization. She linked mass migration to the strain on France’s social systems and called for policies encouraging higher birth rates among French citizens to address demographic challenges.
Through her statements, Le Pen underscored her commitment to defending her party’s policies and challenging the political and judicial systems she believes are undermining France’s sovereignty and democracy.
