The forthcoming legislative elections in France hold immense significance for both the far-right and democratic parties. Yesterday, the President of the Rassemblement National (RN), Jordan Bardella, made a compelling appeal to all ‘patriotic’ personalities to unite with RN in the next elections. This strategic move aims to secure an electoral victory that could pave the way for the formation of a far-right government, with Bardella at the helm as Prime Minister.
Bardella’s address was particularly directed at Marion Maréchal, the second in command of Eric Zemmour’s Reconquête! (R!), the second far-right party in France. Bardella chose to bypass Zemmour and instead, struck a direct deal with the ambitious niece of Le Pen. His aim was to leverage her popularity to attract as many of Zemmour’s voters as possible, thereby reshaping the political landscape.
Maréchal responded positively and visited Rassemblement National’s headquarters to meet Marine Le Pen and Bardella.
Prior to Bardella’s appeal, Eric Zemmour had already expressed his party’s aspirations for the legislative campaign. Zemmour emphasised that the key to victory lies in electoral cooperation between Reconquête! and RN. “It is therefore now up to the National Rally, but also to the leaders of the Republicans to tell us if they want the largest gathering to win,” Zemmour posted on X on June 10.
“Reconquest is not a small group. It is neither the miniature of another party nor a think tank. Those who thought we were going to go backwards were wrong. Those who believe we will still rest on our first laurels are even more mistaken. We will rise to the dangers that await our people,” he added.
However, in responding to Bardella’s address, Maréchal acted on her initiative. Zemmour knew nothing!
“Just yesterday, the left gathered in #frontpopulaire showed its desire to regain power from Emmanuel Macron,” he posted on X today.
He didn’t hide his surprise about the meeting between Maréchal and Bardella.
Zemmour, clearly taken aback by the meeting between Maréchal and Bardella, expressed his surprise. ‘For the moment, the details of a gathering have still not been communicated to me. I know that many supporters of Reconquest are surprised by this. I will see Marion later to find out what she is trying to achieve,’ wrote the French far-right politician.
It is worth noting that the procedures for the far-right unity for the next elections started badly. Bardella tried to divide Reconquête, and Zemmour understood.
Thus, although we cannot exclude a coalition between the two parties, Zemmour will be more exigent in case of negotiations. On the other hand, it is not sure that a split in R! will drive its voters to the yard of Le Pen and Bardella.
‘The clock is ticking for France and for the victory that I want and have always sought,’Zemmour urgently posted on X today, underlining the critical nature of the upcoming elections.
