By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Le Pen Challenges Macron's Military Authority Amid Parliamentary Elections
Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far right National Rally (RN), has stated that President Emmanuel Macron will not be able to send troops to Ukraine if her party forms the next government. Le Pen emphasized that although Macron is the armed forces chief, the real control over military spending lies with the prime minister.
In an interview, the National Rally's parliamentary leader underscored that "Armed forces chief, for the president, is an honorary title as it's the prime minister who controls the purse strings."
France is set to vote in the first round of snap parliamentary elections on Sunday. Recent opinion polls indicate that the National Rally could secure up to 36% of the vote, although they might not achieve the absolute majority needed to control parliament.
As president, Macron plays a crucial role in France's international and defense policy. He has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia's full scale invasion and has not ruled out sending troops if Russia's aggression escalates further.
However, Le Pen has asserted that if RN leader Jordan Bardella becomes the next prime minister, Macron's powers would be significantly diminished. "Jordan has no intention of picking a quarrel with him but he has put down red lines the president won't be able to send troops," she stated.
Should the RN win an absolute majority in parliament, Macron would have to appoint Bardella as prime minister, leading to a power sharing arrangement, known in France as cohabitation, which has not occurred since 2002. Without the necessary 289 seats for an absolute majority, Bardella has indicated he will not serve as prime minister in a hung parliament.
A recent opinion poll suggests that the National Rally could garner 36% of the vote, bolstered by support from conservative Republicans. Brice Teinturier, deputy head of pollster Ipsos, remarked that the poll reflects "an incredibly powerful RN bloc."
As the election nears, prominent French sports figures have weighed in. NBA star Victor Wembanyama urged voters to distance themselves from extremes, while football captain Kylian Mbappé called on young voters to reject "extremists."
The left wing New Popular Front is currently in second place, with Macron's Ensemble alliance trailing in third. François Bayrou, an ally of Macron, accused Le Pen of challenging the president's constitutional powers regarding military appointments and actions.
Le Pen clarified on social media that she does not question the president's power to deploy troops abroad but noted that the prime minister can oppose such actions through budget control.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence that France will continue to support Kyiv after the elections, emphasizing ongoing comprehensive support from France.
During a televised debate, Bardella stated that while his party would continue to support Ukraine, it would not send long range missiles or French troops. The RN has historically had close ties with Russia but shifted its stance following the 2022 invasion.
Macron has faced criticism for calling snap elections shortly after Bardella's party won the European elections. Several of his allies have openly challenged his decision, leaving Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to lead a struggling campaign for the Ensemble alliance.
The high cost of living remains a primary concern for voters, closely followed by immigration, a significant focus of the National Rally's platform.