Meet Marine Le Pen: Far-right leader challenging Macron in French Presidential election

France election results: Marine Le Pen's far-right party, National Rally, has made a big impact in the first round of France's snap parliamentary elections. This victory has posed a substantial challenge to President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist Renaissance party. According to pollsters, the National Rally is projected to secure about 34% of the votes, while Macron's party and its allies are expected to garner around 22%, placing them third. Meanwhile, a coalition of left-wing parties, known as the New Popular Front, achieved about 29% of the vote.

The final outcome will be determined in a runoff on July 7, between the leading parties in each constituency. While the results are not yet definitive, National Rally is poised to become the largest party in the French National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament.

Rise of Marine Le Pen

Marine Le Pen has been a prominent figure in French politics for decades. She joined the National Front, the predecessor to the National Rally, in 1986. The party was founded by her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, approximately 50 years ago. Jean-Marie Le Pen was a controversial figure, having been a member of a French division of the Waffen-SS during World War II. In 2015, Marine Le Pen expelled her father from the party after he described the Nazi gas chambers as a “detail of history.” This move was part of her efforts to rebrand the party and distance it from its extremist roots.

Marine Le Pen gives a thumbs up after her party’s huge victory in the first round of the French parliamentary elections today.

The tide has turned against Globalism in France! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/T42pSlJie4

— Cillian (@CilComLFC) June 30, 2024

Rebranding National Rally

Under Marine Le Pen's leadership, the National Front was renamed National Rally. She appointed Jordan Bardella, a smooth-talking and composed political leader, as her protégé and the president of the party. Le Pen also moderated some of her most extreme positions, including her previous calls for France to leave the European Union. Despite these changes, she remains known for her hardline stance on immigration, advocating for strict border controls and a significant reduction in the number of immigrants allowed into France. Her party also supports banning Muslim women from wearing headscarves in public and has backed France's exit from NATO's integrated command.

Consistent contender in French presidential elections

Marine Le Pen has been a consistent contender in French presidential elections, reaching the second round in both 2017 and 2022, where she faced off against Macron. Despite softening her stance on some issues, her hardline outlook on immigration and national identity has remained a cornerstone of her platform. 

Challanges for Marine Le Pen

Le Pen's political career has not been without controversy. In 2018, she was charged with distributing violent images after sharing pictures of ISIS atrocities on social media. Additionally, her party has faced scrutiny over its financial dealings, including allegations of misusing EU funds. Despite these challenges, Marine Le Pen continues to be a significant force in French politics, shaping the country's discourse on immigration and national identity.

What next?

As France moves towards the runoff elections, all eyes are on Marine Le Pen and the National Rally. With the potential to become the largest party in the French National Assembly, Le Pen's influence on French politics is undeniable.