As the far-right National Rally in France prepares for legislative elections, the party is facing scrutiny over some of its candidates. One candidate was withdrawn from the race after a photo surfaced showing her wearing a World War II-era Nazi officer’s cap. Other candidates have also faced criticism, including one who held a town employee hostage at gunpoint, another who made controversial statements about the Holocaust, and some who have been largely absent from the campaign trail.
These revelations threaten to damage the carefully curated image that National Rally leader Marine Le Pen has worked to build for the party to distance it from its historical ties to antisemitism and racism. The party’s readiness to govern is also being questioned as it aims to secure a majority in the second-round vote.
French political analysts have noted that the party has struggled to keep up with its increasing voter support, particularly in finding and vetting suitable candidates. The legislative elections were called by President Emmanuel Macron after his centrist alliance suffered a defeat in the European Parliament voting against the National Rally.
Criticism has also been directed at candidates from other parties, with allegations of antisemitism emerging in the campaign. The National Rally and other parties have exchanged accusations of harboring xenophobic or racist individuals within their ranks.
As the election approaches, the public and media are closely watching the candidates and their backgrounds, raising concerns about the caliber of individuals vying for positions of power in the French government.
