France's Far Right Claims Readiness to Take Power

The main figure of France's far-right party, 'National Rally', introduced his party as ready to take power at a press conference ahead of the country's controversial elections, stating: 'In three words, we are ready.' Jordan Bardella, on Monday, July 4, just six days before the French parliamentary elections, said his party is prepared to take control with two approaches: curbing immigration and addressing people's livelihood issues. The 28-year-old politician, who has helped the party shed its extremist image, urged voters to support his party with maximum votes to implement its anti-immigration policies and law and order agenda. According to him, 'seven long years of Macronism have weakened the country.' Bardella emphasized his program to tighten border conditions and the entry of foreigners into France, stating that the French have not been listened to on this issue for 30 years. This young leader of the National Rally also claimed that if his party comes to power, it will focus on 'realistic' measures to curb inflation, the most important of which is reducing energy taxes. He also referred to the promise of a 'big bang' of discipline in schools, which Emmanuel Macron had previously proposed, including banning the use of mobile phones and implementing school uniforms. In foreign policy, Bardella emphasized that his party, like Macron's plan, opposes sending French troops to Ukraine but will continue to provide logistical and material support. He stated that his party, which had close relations with Russia before the invasion of Ukraine, will act 'very cautiously' against Moscow's attempts to interfere in French affairs. Among the main policies of the National Rally, which was known as the 'National Front' until 2018, are economic protectionism and a no-nonsense approach to law and order issues, as well as opposition to immigration, including the abolition of 'birthright citizenship' for French nationality if the far-right wins. Earlier this month, Bardella's party led the European Parliament elections with nearly double the votes of Macron's centrist coalition, forcing the French president to dissolve parliament. Macron has also called for early elections on Sunday, July 10, 1403. Recent polls show that the National Rally has a better chance of winning this election compared to the two leftist and centrist parties in France. The upcoming elections in France are seen as a showdown between the far-right 'National Rally' and the leftist 'New People's Front'. The 'New People's Front' has so far refrained from stating who would be the prime ministerial candidate if they win the elections. Bardella claims that voting for his party is a 'patriotic and republican' choice that stands against 'leftist anti-Semitism'. However, the left-wing faction denies the accusation of anti-Semitism, and some mainstream left parties have united to prevent Bardella's party from winning votes. Some socialist voters express concerns about the idea of uniting with the far-left party 'France Unbowed' led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, especially since some figures from this party have been accused of anti-Semitism and have a history of making statements against European unionism. Jordan Bardella was elected as the new leader of the far-right National Rally in November 2022, succeeding Marine Le Pen. Marine Le Pen, in her bid for succession as president, has asked Macron to resign from the presidency if his party fails in the parliamentary elections. However, Macron has stated that this will not happen. If the right-wing parties gain a majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Macron will still remain president of France for another three years, responsible for defense and foreign policy, but will lose control over domestic policies, including economic issues, security, immigration, and financial matters. Gabriel Attal, who will be Macron's prime minister from the beginning of 2024, is scheduled to face off against Jordan Bardella in a televised debate on Tuesday, July 5.