Éric Ciotti, the president of the French conservative party The Republicans, shocked many when he decided to form an alliance with the far-right National Rally (RN) headed by Marine Le Pen before the upcoming legislative elections. This move has caused concern among centrists and left-leaning EU lawmakers that the mainstream right in Europe is weakening the barrier that has traditionally kept far-right parties out of power. This decision came shortly after right-wing parties across Europe made significant gains in the recent European Parliament elections.
Marine Le Pen praised Ciotti’s decision, calling it courageous, as she aims to unite the right-wing forces in France for the upcoming snap ballot called by President Emmanuel Macron. However, French EU lawmakers have criticized this alliance, fearing that France may follow the example of other countries that have allowed radical right-wing ideas to influence their government. The co-chair of the European Green Party expressed concerns about the normalization of far-right ideas by mainstream parties, leading to the rise of extremist views in the political landscape.
The Left group in the European Parliament, led by Manon Aubry, declared that the Republican right in France was dead following Ciotti’s move. Aubry’s party formed a coalition with other left-leaning parties to counter the influence of the far-right in the upcoming French election. Presidents of mainstream parties, including Valérie Hayer, emphasized the need to uphold democratic values and isolate far-right parties to prevent their rise to power. The Renew Europe group, which Hayer leads, pledged to take actions against any collaboration with the far right, highlighting the importance of maintaining the fundamental principles of democracy.
The decision made by Ciotti to ally with the far-right has led to internal divisions within The Republicans party. Some prominent figures within the party, including former EU Commissioner Michel Barnier, have denounced Ciotti’s actions, questioning his legitimacy to represent the party. The split among the party’s candidates for the European Parliament further highlights the disagreement over this alliance. While some supported Ciotti’s move as necessary to combat Macronism, others, like Isabelle Le Callennec, distanced themselves from the decision.
The potential alliance between Ciotti’s Republicans and Le Pen’s National Rally in France has sparked debate on the implications of combining right-wing parties. François-Xavier Bellamy, the party’s lead candidate in the European elections, expressed concerns over the counter-productive nature of such an alliance, suggesting that it could benefit Macron’s centrist party in the long run. This division within the French conservative camp has been viewed as a result of Le Pen’s growing influence and her efforts to unite far-right parties across Europe. Le Pen’s ambition to form a far-right supergroup in the European Parliament has received support from other nationalist leaders, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. By joining forces, these parties could become a significant political faction within the European Parliament.
In conclusion, Éric Ciotti’s decision to form an alliance with the far-right National Rally in France has raised concerns among mainstream EU lawmakers that the traditional barrier against radical right-wing forces is weakening. The internal divisions within The Republicans party and the opposition from other mainstream parties reflect the growing polarization and ideological conflicts within European politics. As far-right parties continue to gain momentum across Europe, it is crucial for centrist and left-leaning parties to uphold democratic values and prevent the normalization of extremist views in the political landscape. The upcoming legislative elections in France will be a test of the country’s political direction and the impact of mainstream parties aligning with far-right forces.
