Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), has issued a stern warning to President Emmanuel Macron, asserting that he would be constrained in his ability to deploy French troops to Ukraine if her party gains control of the government in the upcoming snap parliamentary elections.
In a recent interview, Le Pen stated that while Macron holds the honorary title of armed forces chief, it is the prime minister who controls the financial resources essential for military operations. “Armed forces chief, for the president, is an honorary title as it’s the prime minister who controls the purse strings,” she explained.
As France prepares to vote in the first round of the parliamentary elections on Sunday, opinion polls suggest that the RN could secure up to 36% of the vote. However, it remains uncertain if they will achieve the absolute majority needed to control the National Assembly.
Macron, who plays a pivotal role in France’s international and defense policies, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine following the start of the conflict with Russia. He has hinted at the possibility of sending troops if the situation escalates, stating that Russia cannot be allowed to win in Ukraine.
Le Pen indicated that if RN’s 28-year-old leader Jordan Bardella becomes prime minister, Macron’s authority to send troops would be limited. “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 added.
A win for RN would force Macron into a power-sharing arrangement known as “cohabitation,” a situation not seen in France since 2002. This could significantly alter the dynamics of French governance, with the prime minister holding substantial influence over defense budget allocations.
Bardella has affirmed that he will not seek the prime minister position in a hung parliament without an absolute majority. The latest polls show RN leading, followed by the left-wing New Popular Front, with Macron’s Ensemble alliance trailing in third place.
Prominent figures like NBA star Victor Wembanyama and France’s football captain Kylian Mbappé have urged voters to reject extremist parties.
François Bayrou, an ally of Macron, accused Le Pen of challenging the president’s constitutional powers regarding military appointments and operations. Le Pen responded on social media, clarifying that she respects the president’s power to deploy troops but emphasized the prime minister’s budgetary control.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence that France will continue supporting Ukraine regardless of the election outcome. Bardella has echoed this sentiment, assuring continued support for Ukraine but ruled out sending long-range missiles or French troops.
Macron’s decision to call for snap elections has faced criticism, including from within his own ranks, as the Ensemble alliance struggles with low poll ratings amid rising living costs and immigration concerns.
As France heads to the polls, the political landscape remains highly fluid, with significant implications for both domestic policy and international relations.
