Marine Le Pen: ‘We expect Michel Barnier to act’
‘At least he is aware that immigration is a major problem’, said the head of the Rassemblement National
Marine Le Pen commented on the appointment of Michel Barnier as PM in a new interview
Alexandros Michailidis / Obatala-photography/ Shutterstock
The head of the far-right Rassemblement National party, Marine Le Pen, has welcomed the appointment of Michel Barnier, who was appointed as prime minister of France on September 5.
In an interview with La Tribune on September 8, Ms Le Pen also commented on several key policies and governmental issues, including immigration, pension reform, the budget, and the possibility of a new president.
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The support of far-right MPs could be crucial to determining whether Mr Barnier - who is himself right-wing - remains in his role long-term.
PM is ‘normal democratic functioning’
Ms Le Pen’s welcoming of Mr Barnier is in sharp contrast to left-wing MPs in the NFP group, who have said that the former chief Brexit negotiator Mr Barnier’s position does not respect the results of the legislative elections, which gave the left-wing alliance the largest number of seats.
“It is normal in a democracy for the largest group in the National Assembly to be considered,” said Ms Le Pen. “But it is also perfectly normal for the 11 million voters who voted for us in the legislative elections to be respected and heard in their demands. So we are back to normal democratic functioning, and that's good for everyone.”
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On immigration
Ms Le Pen was unequivocal about Michel Barnier’s views on immigration, which have been controversial in some circles.
“There is no doubt that Michel Barnier seems to have the same view of immigration that we do,” she said. “Now we expect him to act. He said it himself at the handover: less said, more done.
“People on the left refuse to face up to the reality of the problem of immigration,” she said. “At least he is aware that immigration is a major problem. And I remember when he said that out-of-control immigration was one of the reasons behind Brexit. I share that view.”
Read also: Immigration, EU, pay: What are PM Michel Barnier's known policies?
On pension reform
When asked about Mr Barnier’s announced plans to “improve” pension reforms, Ms Le Pen said: “We will propose the return [of the legal pension age] of 62, and after 42 years of contributions.”
On the budget
On the subject of the forthcoming budget, which Mr Garnier has said is likely to be drastic, Ms Le Pen said that she rejected the idea that Emmanuel Macron was “a powerhouse on the economy”, saying “we are in the most serious budgetary situation that France has ever seen”.
In contrast, she said that the RN was “responsible, and knows that the country cannot allow itself to continue inconsiderate spending in many areas”.
“I am, of course, thinking of immigration, but also fraud, which must be dealt with more severely, as should other areas. The choice of these areas is always very political,” she said. “Are we spending more on imitation and less on police, or vice versa? These are two radically different visions.”
On a new president
Ms Le Pen also commented on former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s announcement that he would run for president at the next elections, which he anticipates soon.
“He definitely has a good sense of timing,” said Ms Le Pen, sarcastically. “As France is searching for its prime minister, he is declaring his [presidential] candidature!
“More seriously though, it is one of the plausible scenarios, sure,” she said. “Under the Fifth Republic constitution, the head of state has three options to get out of a political block; renewing the government [ministers], dissolving the Assemblée Nationale, or resigning.
“It is obvious that the first two options are not available, he only has the third option. So yes, it is something that we feel could happen.”
Ms Le Pen also commented on her upcoming court appearance, accused of misuse of European funds. She said: “I am approaching this trial with gravity and seriousness, because I think what has been done to the RN until now is profoundly unjust.
“We will go to trial to say that we have not committed any infraction, and that these…accusations are completely ‘fightable’,” she said.
She added that she did not expect to be barred from standing from election as a result of the trial. “I am very sure of our innocence,” she added.
