The leader of France's far-right party, National Rally, has reversed course on the party's pledge to withdraw from NATO's strategic military command. Jordan Bardella, the party president, stated at an arms trade show in Villepinte that he intends to uphold France's international commitments if his party secures a parliamentary majority. This shift in stance comes as Bardella seeks to broaden the party's appeal ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election.
Bardella emphasized the importance of France's role within NATO, particularly in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He highlighted the need for France to maintain its responsibilities and credibility on the European stage by remaining part of NATO's military command structure.
This change in position marks a departure from the party's manifesto for the 2022 presidential election, which had called for France to exit the integrated NATO command. Bardella's remarks reflect a strategic recalibration aimed at attracting voters beyond the party's traditional support base.
Despite his support for NATO, Bardella reiterated his opposition to sending French troops to Ukraine, aligning with the majority sentiment in France. Instead, he advocated for continued military support to Ukraine while cautioning against direct confrontation with Russia, citing the latter's nuclear capabilities.
The National Rally, known for its euroskeptic and anti-immigration stance, has close ties to Russia, with party members expressing reservations about supplying additional arms to Ukraine. The party's former presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, has also been cautious about escalating the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament and call for new elections follows a significant electoral setback for his party in the European Parliament election. Macron, who retains the presidency until 2027, may face the prospect of sharing power with a far-right-led government following the upcoming parliamentary polls.
