The president of the RN is signing his book this Saturday in Marseille. “I did it to tell my truth,” he explains to us. Interview.
How do you interpret the sale of 60,000 copies of your book in a few weeks?
It’s a very good start. I did it to tell my truth, to recount this dizzying electoral sequence of the spring and to make myself better known. It is neither an autobiography, nor a memoir or a draft of a political program. But I think our party is at a crossroads. There is an expectation regarding the National Rally which received eleven million votes in the legislative elections.
Why did you write it?
This book is a tête-à-tête with the French. It is only this format that allows you to confide without the prism of the question, the filter of the media and social networks. It is also the revenge of the long term for me, who has had to comment on political life on the front line and in a very immediate way for five years. One news chases another, the book remains. The idea is to make it clear that I have an ordinary background. It’s unique in the sense that I’m doing at 29 what I should be doing at 50. But that’s the way it is and I needed to make it clear where I’m coming from. I was born in Seine-Saint-Denis, I was educated on the values of work and merit by a mother who earned 1,300 euros per month. I am very proud of this.
Does this also go against this idea that elected officials are disconnected from reality?
This disconnection exists and I wanted to show the French that I am like them. They see our party as a compass in a country where political confusion reigns. Our choices on migration, agricultural and industrial policy will determine what the France of tomorrow will be. Despite everything, we are renewing the political landscape, even if our party is already anchored in the landscape. We have never governed, our project is the polar opposite of that of the political majority today. We have a breakup.
But this break is no longer so clear… Was it necessary to hope to gain power?
We are becoming a government party. We were a force of protest and what I am looking for is to bring together the working and middle classes, the business elites and some of the orphans of the right. I wanted our image to evolve and our economic ambition to be clearer.
But you now say you are ready to vote for censure in the event of 49.3 on the budget. With the risk of political chaos that could happen behind…
The country needed a government after these months of confusion and I have always indicated that I will judge on the evidence. This government has no democratic legitimacy and the punitive budget that is being constructed is weakening working France and targeting the working and middle classes. He does this by wanting to de-reimburse medicines, increase the automobile penalty and corporate taxes. If this budget were to be voted on as is, our red lines would be exceeded and we would vote for censure. But we would not be responsible for any possible chaos. The person responsible is Emmanuel Macron who threw the country into uncertainty with the dissolution then by organizing an unnatural electoral alliance and by refusing to allow an alternation to occur.
French politicians are against the free trade treaty with Mercosur. So you can agree on this point?
I am on the front line against this treaty in the European Parliament. It is the fruit of a policy of degrowth of the European Union which multiplies free trade agreements, systematically to the detriment of our farmers. I promised economic patriotism and an exit for our agriculture from these free trade agreements. We have lost 100,000 farmers in our country in ten years and the situation of unfair competition is killing our agriculture. There is an inability of Europe to understand this, which promotes a Green Deal, or “Green deal” which multiplies environmental constraints. The liberals and the French right were the architects of these agreements by multiplying compromises. Our group, which is now the third in the European Parliament, is reshuffling the cards. Our work has already led to an increase in customs tariffs from 10 to 35% to deal with what the United States is doing in particular.
The news of the RN is also judicial with the so-called “parliamentary assistants” affair and the requisitions seem heavy and severe to you. How far will you go?
These are the requisitions of a prosecutor who I consider biased. We will appeal. The objective is to kill the National Rally and its candidate, Marine Le Pen, with a view to the next presidential election. It is also about compromising the state of our finances. These political requisitions seem totally disproportionate, including to all those who signed our online petition. We have already recorded 250,000 signatures. I repeat that this trial is neither that of fictitious jobs, nor that of any personal enrichment. We are talking about an administrative disagreement. (Marine Le Pen is being prosecuted for embezzlement of public funds and complicity, Editor’s note).
Are you not afraid, you who always demand strict application of sentences, of discrediting Justice with this speech?
We do not put any pressure on Justice. Many French people are outraged and it is normal that they say it. The justice system is very lenient with many delinquents and is not at all lenient with us. These requisitions appear strange and insincere to me. Dangerous, even, because depriving Marine Le Pen of access to universal suffrage would create a disturbance to public order.
Will you be plan B in the event of proven ineligibility?
We don’t think about it. We are certain that we will be heard and that the requisitions will not be followed. As for me, I don’t think about it. I am alongside Marine Le Pen. She knows my loyalty and faithfulness.
**How does Jordan Bardella’s personal narrative approach in “Insider Talk” help or hinder the National Rally’s effort to move beyond its image as a “force of protest” and become a viable alternative governing party?**
## Interview: Unveiling the National Rally’s Path
Welcome to World-Today-News. Today, we delve into the heart of France’s political landscape with two distinguished guests to discuss the National Rally (RN) and its future. Joining us are [Guest 1 Name & Affiliation – ideally an RN scholar/analyst] and [Guest 2 Name & Affiliation – ideally a critic/analyst of the RN]. We’ll be exploring themes emerging from the recent interview with Jordan Bardella, President of the RN.
**Section 1: A New Narrative – Unveiling Jordan Bardella’s Book**
* **Host:** Jordan Bardella’s book “Insider Talk” has enjoyed strong initial sales. He frames it as a way to connect directly with the French people. What do both of you make of this strategy, and how might it shape public perception of the RN?
* **Host (to Guest 1):** Does this personal narrative strategy align with the RN’s traditional image? How does it potentially broaden their appeal?
* **Host (to Guest 2):** Could this book be seen as a calculated move to soften the RN’s image? Are you concerned about its potential impact?
**Section 2: Bridging Divisions – Politics in a Changing World**
* **Host:** Bardella insists the RN is evolving from a “force of protest” to a “government party.” How realistic is this ambition, and what are the implications for French politics?
* **Host (to Guest 1):** Do you believe the RN can effectively bridge the political divide in France, or is their appeal limited to a specific demographic?
* **Host (to Guest 2):** How likely are mainstream parties to engage in meaningful dialog with the RN, given their past rhetoric?
**Section 3: Economic Vision and the Future of France**
* **Host:** Bardella criticizes free trade agreements like Mercosur and advocates for economic patriotism. What are your views on these economic policies, and their potential impact on French workers and businesses?
* **Host (to Guest 1):** How does the RN’s economic vision differ from conventional approaches? Do you believe their policies resonate with the concerns of ordinary French citizens?
* **Host (to Guest 2):** What are the potential drawbacks to the RN’s focus on protectionism and economic nationalism? Could these policies ultimately harm France’s long-term economic prospects?
**Section 4: Justice and the Future of Marine Le Penn**
* **Host:** Bardella fiercely defends Marine Le Pen against legal charges regarding parliamentary assistants. This legal battle will undoubtedly shape the RN’s future. What are your perspectives on these charges and their implications for both Le Pen and the party?
* **Host (to Guest 1):** How significant is Le Pen’s role in the RN’s identity? Could the party endure a leadership transition, or would it significantly alter its course?
* **Host (to Guest 2):** What are the potential consequences of Le Pen being excluded from future elections? Would this benefit or harm the RN in the long run?
**Closing:**
* **Host:** We thank you both for providing such insightful perspectives on the National Rally and its future. This powerful political force continues to influence French politics, and it will be fascinating to see how events unfold in the months and years to come.
