Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, has raised concerns about who would be in charge of the military if her party wins the upcoming legislative elections, just three days away. Le Pen has indicated that her protegee, Jordan Bardella, would lead the government if they win, suggesting that he would also make decisions on defense and armed forces, despite his lack of experience. She stated that it is actually the prime minister, not the president, who “pulls the strings” when it comes to military decisions.
The potential power shift has caused political scientists to question how President Emmanuel Macron and a prime minister hostile to his policies would share power if the National Rally wins the majority in parliament. The French constitution states that the president is the head of the armed forces, while the prime minister is responsible for national defense, leading to uncertainty about the exact roles in foreign policy and defense in a possible National Rally government.
The upcoming elections have sparked debate and activism against the far-right party, with left-wing groups and activists rallying in Paris to urge voters to prevent the National Rally from gaining power. The outcome of the elections is uncertain due to a complex voting system and potential alliances, making the upcoming legislative elections on Sunday and the decisive second round on July 7 highly anticipated and crucial for the future of French politics.
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