06/24/2024
Macron harshly criticized the far-right leader Jordan Bardella who is competing against him in the legislative race.
Photo: AFP
A few days before the first round of the legislative elections in France, President EEmmanuel Macron has launched a forceful message against the electoral programs of his far-right and radical left rivals. According to Macron, these plans could lead to “civil war” in the country.
Macron harshly criticized far-right leader Jordan Bardella, who recently declared himself “ready” to govern. “The response of the extreme right in terms of insecurity refers people to a religion or an origin, and this is how it divides and leads to civil war,” stated the centrist president.
Bardella, 28 years old and an emerging figure of the National Group (RN), has promised a radical change in matters of security and immigration control, highlighting a “big bang of authority” in schools. His proposals include the mandatory use of uniforms, formality in the treatment of teachers and the prohibition of cell phones in educational centers.
The centrist Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, reacted to Bardella’s statements on Europe 1 radio, stressing that, “the RN is not prepared to govern,” and calling it “an opposition party and not a government party.”
Macron also had critical words for La Francia Insumisa (LFI), the radical left formation. According to the president, this proposal is “a form of communitarianism… a bit electoral,” which could also lead to civil war, since it focuses on people’s religious or community belongings.
Macron’s statements and the growing media attention on Bardella occur in a context of great political uncertainty in France. Macron unexpectedly brought forward the legislative elections after the victory of the far-right party in the European elections on June 9, which has generated a tense and polarized atmosphere.
The vote scheduled for July 7 will be crucial to define the political future of the country and could force Macron to share power with a government of a different political color than his.’
For its part, Bardella He reiterated the main lines of his movement on security and immigration control. He proposed measures such as the expulsion of foreigners convicted of crimes and the reduction of expenses “that favor immigration.” He also criticized the economic balance of Macron’s government, alleging that the public debt and deficit have exceeded European limits..
Bardella also assured that he would maintain France’s support for Ukraine if he came to power, but would oppose the sending of long-range missiles and French troops to Ukrainian soil. Although some consider RN close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bardella affirmed that his government would remain “very vigilant” against attempts at Russian interference.calling it a “threat to France and Europe.”
Macron, whose term ends in 2027, continues to defend his administration and his position on the international situation. He reaffirmed France’s continued support for Ukraine after meeting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, underlining France’s “unequivocal determination [de Francia] to remain with the Ukrainians in the long term.”
The electoral panorama in France is marked by a deep division and the possibility of a drastic change in the political direction of the country, which keeps the social and political environment quite heated. Meanwhile, Macron maintains his campaign to invite citizens to vote for the center and these statements are read as a political strategy.
