The political conflict in France is increasingly moving to the global arena, and its fresh epicentre becomes Brussels. The National Unity (NR) Marine Le Pen has made the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries the mark of its next offensive.
This time it is not just about European policy, but about a thoughtful effort to usage global tension to strengthen the party's position on the national stage. The RN intends to submit a motion in the European Parliament for a vote of distrust towards the European Commission, blaming it for the actions that hit the foundations of French agriculture.
Although the proposal itself does not have a real chance to vote, its symbolic meaning is unsurpassable. This is simply a signal to the Elysée Palace and French public opinion: the RN wants to be seen as the only political force that defends national interests against decisions taken in Brussels. Marine Le Pen put it in strong words:
"The European Commission has just approved an agreement with Mercosur, which, if implemented, will have disastrous consequences for French agriculture. The president of the Republic must commit to the French that he will refuse to implement this agreement, contrary to the interests of our nation. Our Euro MPs will apply next week for a vote of distrust against Ursula von der Leyen. It will be a minute of fact for the French – everyone will see who, too the words, truly defends our farmers.”
In the background of this European battle, there is simply a power game in France. Le Pen sees her as an chance to force early parliamentary elections and challenge the legitimacy of the current government. The RN presently enjoys unchangeable support of about 33 percent, and the increasing social discontent associated with inflation, a sense of insecurity and general fatigue of Macron's presidency creates favourable conditions for a political breakthrough.
The organization does not hide that it wants to break up the current power system. If the government of François Bayrou had fallen, the RN could play a key function in its overthrow. In specified a situation, the president would gotta compose out fresh parliamentary elections, which opens the way for Jordan Bardella, a young RN leader, to take over as Prime Minister. It's a script that's getting harder to ignore.
Inside the organization there is simply a difference of styles. Le Pen applies harsh rhetoric and puts on an open confrontation, while Bardella tries to soften the transmission, stressing budgetary work and the request for stability. Both politicians, although different in tone, work together utilizing the dual-communication strategy: 1 addressed to voters frustrated by the situation in the country, the another to the mediate class and the economical environment.
There are besides external signals that confirm the RN in the belief that it is time for a political breakthrough. erstwhile president Nicolas Sarkozy publically suggested the anticipation of disbanding the National Assembly, which gives Le Pen's actions an additional burden. In this context, opposition to the Mercosur Agreement ceases to be purely an economical matter. It becomes a tool of mobilisation and a symbol of the conflict for sovereignty and national interest.
For Le Pen, this agreement embodies everything that she believes threatens the French model of life: globalisation, failure of control over borders, marginalisation of local producers. If she manages to make this a national dispute, she can not only win the conflict for agriculture, but besides open her way to taking power. And not in 2027, but much earlier.
