France’s Le Pen: Macron is ‘done’
"He has lost his grip on the international scene, and is at odds with everyone," the far-right leader said.
PARIS — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Wednesday she’s getting ready to run for an early presidential election, predicting that Emmanuel Macron’s era as French president will be over sooner than scheduled.
“I am preparing for an early presidential election, out of precaution,” she said in an interview with newspaper Le Parisien, pointing to Macron’s “fragility.”
“Macron is done, or nearly done, “Le Pen said. “I don’t want to be cruel, it’s an institutional reality.”
He is due to remain in power until 2027.
Macron has lost his grip on the international stage, she said. “He no longer has any influence in the European Union, and has been humiliated in the worst possible way by his ‘creature,’ [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen.”
In early December, the EU signed a massive trade agreement with South America, a move broadly perceived as a snub to Paris, which has long been a critic of the deal.
“His situation is very fragile,” said Le Pen, citing tensions with the new prime minister and France’s budget problems, adding that there are “many reasons” why he could be forced to end his term of office. While National Rally heavyweights have directly called for Macron’s resignation, Le Pen herself has so far stopped short.
After a snap election last summer, which resulted in a hung parliament, Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party has become the de facto kingmaker of French politics.
Earlier this month, Le Pen’s party joined forces with the pan-left New Popular Front coalition and toppled the outgoing government led by Michel Barnier. Macron appointed centrist François Bayrou as new prime minister on Friday, but his survival will again depend on Le Pen’s party’s goodwill in any future no confidence vote.
Le Pen said Macron was responsible for the ongoing political crisis and said he might be forced to resign as French president, a suggestion that Macron has forcefully rejected.
French presidential elections are held every five years. Macron was elected in 2022 for a second mandate.
What's Your Reaction?
