The French far-right political landscape, particularly represented by the National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN), led by Marine Le Pen, has seen significant growth and influence in recent years. This growth is notable in both national and European contexts.
The National Rally places a strong emphasis on reducing immigration, advocating for stricter border controls and policies that prioritize French nationals. They link immigration to issues of national security and public order, often using crises to bolster their stance.
For instance, RN leaders have attributed social unrest and violence to what they describe as "insane immigration policies," capitalizing on public fears and xenophobic sentiments. Economically, the RN promotes protectionist measures aimed at preserving French jobs and industries.
They advocate for withdrawing from some aspects of EU economic policies that they believe harm French economic sovereignty. This includes opposing free trade agreements that they argue lead to job losses and deindustrialization in France.
The party's platform heavily focuses on law and order, calling for tougher penalties for crimes and stronger support for law enforcement. This aligns with their broader narrative of restoring traditional values and ensuring public safety.
The RN is critical of the European Union, advocating for policies that reclaim national sovereignty from what they perceive as overreach by EU institutions. While they no longer call for an outright exit from the EU (Frexit), they push for significant reforms to reduce EU influence over French laws and policies.
Despite their focus on immigration and security, the RN also addresses social issues, promising to protect the welfare state for French citizens. They argue that reducing immigration will allow for better allocation of resources to native citizens, thus improving public services like healthcare and education.
The RN has made historic gains in recent elections, becoming a leading force in French politics. In the 2024 European elections, they secured significant support, highlighting their growing influence at both national and European levels.
However, their presence is more pronounced electorally rather than in grassroots activism, with limited structured local networks compared to left-wing parties. In summary, the RN leverages nationalistic and protectionist rhetoric, focusing on immigration, economic sovereignty, and law and order, to appeal to a broad base of voters disillusioned with traditional parties.
Their influence continues to grow, shaping the political landscape in France significantly.
The Exd (Extrême Droite) is also known as Exd, Extrême Droite).