PARIS — far-right leader Jordan Bardella On Monday he sought to reassure French voters, European partners and international observers that his potential government would lead “realistic” economic policies and “would not weaken” France’s voice abroad, if his party wins the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Bardella, who could become prime minister if voters elect a majority of his National Rally party’s candidates in the election two-round parliamentary election On June 30 and July 7, he announced his program at a press conference.
Polls show that the result of the early elections called by the President Emmanuel Macron after its centrist alliance suffered a major defeat in this month’s European Parliament elections, it remains highly uncertain. Macron is aligned against both the National Rally and the New Popular Front, a coalition from parties from extreme left to center left.
Dressed in an impeccable gray suit and black tie, Bardella was remarkably affable, smiling and calm. He sought to project himself as a potential and polished national leader despite his complete lack of experience in government and his age (which, at 28, would make him by far the youngest prime minister in French history). ).
He promised to implement “realistic and credible” economic policies amid Criticism of the European Union about France’s excessive debt.
“We must take into account the worsening of the country’s budgetary situation, with 300 billion (euro) of additional debt in the last two years and record public and commercial deficits,” he stated.
Bardella promised to “defend purchasing power” by cutting taxes on fuel, gas and electricity. He also promised tax cuts for businesses if they increase the wages of their low- and middle-wage employees by up to 10%.
He pledged to reverse Macron’s pension changes that raised the retirement age last year to 64, and put it back to 62, on the condition that people work for at least 42 years.
Bardella sought to counter concerns that his party’s campaign promises may require many tens of billions in state funding realize. He said he would fund the measures by cutting “spending that encourages legal and illegal immigration” and closing some “tax loopholes.”
A 21-page pamphlet with promises published by the National Rally did not derail their plans. Bardella said one of his first steps as prime minister would be to order an audit of France’s finances, aimed at giving him a better idea of how the measures could be financed.
Bardella has also redoubled his party’s efforts to counter accusations from critics that he has long been friendly to Russia and President Vladimir Putin. She repeated that she considers Russia “a multidimensional threat to both France and Europe” and said she would be “extremely vigilant” to any Russian attempt to interfere with French interests. She said she supports continued shipments of French weaponry to Ukraine to allow it to defend itself.
However, his approach to Moscow seemed much more accommodating than Macron’s stance.
Bardella said he opposes sending French troops to Ukraine and French shipments of long-range missiles and other weapons capable of striking targets inside Russia itself. He called them “my red lines.”
In Europe, “our coming to power will also mark France’s return to the European stage to defend its interests,” Bardella said, explaining that he was willing to negotiate “exceptions” to EU rules.
He laughed and smiled when asked if, if he became prime minister, he would give speeches with an EU flag in the background. “I’m thinking about it,” he said. Bardella’s campaign for the European Parliament elections featured only the French flag, not the EU flag.
Responding to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying he is worried about the upcoming French elections, Bardella calmly acknowledged that “it is normal that he expresses political reservations about us” because he is “a political rival.” left-wing social democrats, he said he hopes the far right does not win on Sunday in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD.
As prime minister, “of course I would be willing to talk to all (European) heads of government… and I hope to have the opportunity to talk to the German chancellor,” Bardella said.
At home, he said promoting law and order and stricter regulation of migration would be his immediate priorities, in line with the party’s pet issues.
He said dual nationals would be barred from some specific key jobs as state employees in the field of defense and security.
Bardella promised “a great explosion of authority” for schools and detailed plans to create special centers to educate disruptive students. He said mobile phones would also be banned for pupils from the new academic year in September, including in secondary schools, and students would be required to address teachers as “vous” – the more formal French way of saying ” “you” – instead of “you”.
Bardella also addressed another long-term campaign strategy of the National Rally, arguing that France is a country in dangerous decline and that the party would put a firm hand in helping it regain its position, strength and influence.
“I now want to address all those French whose hearts bleed as they contemplate the state of the country,” he said.
But he also sought to reassure voters terrified by the prospect of France installing its first far-right government since its Nazi occupation in World War II. In power, the National Rally would not restrict individual rights and would be a guarantor of absolute respect for the rights of opposition parties “because pluralism is a formidable wealth, as are freedom of expression and the circulation of ideas,” he stated. .
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Stephanie Liechtenstein contributed to the story from Berlin.
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