Far-Right France

Description

France’s next presidential election is due by 2027, if not sooner; and Marine Le Pen’s far- right Rassemblement National is on course to win it. Such a victory would trigger shockwaves internationally, with profound implications for allies and neighbours including the UK and the US.

Founded by the antisemitic Jean-Marie Le Pen, the RN—previously the Front National—was confined to the fringes until his daughter Marine took over in 2011. Together with her telegenic protégé Jordan Bardella, she has modernised the party and ‘detoxified’ its image. The RN has focused on voters’ economic grievances while condemning ‘mass immigration’ of Muslims and foreign ‘criminals’—a strategy starkly reminiscent of Donald Trump’s own route, twice, into the White House. Right-wing nationalists were already gaining ground worldwide and across the EU before Trump’s re-election gave them another boost. Now France—at the core of the European project—is the far right’s next great prize.

In both rounds of 2024’s parliamentary elections, the RN won more votes than any other party. In vivid, sharp prose, Victor Mallet explains how the French far right has won over the country and become a government in waiting—one preparing to transform France, Europe and the world.

Author(s)

Victor Mallet is an award- winning correspondent who has spent decades reporting from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia for the Financial Times and Reuters. The author of River of Life, River of Death and The Trouble With Tigers, he has interviewed politicians including Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron.