PARIS — Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, indicated on Monday that she might destabilize the country’s minority government before the year concludes unless the proposed budget bill undergoes significant modifications.
Her comments followed a discussion with Prime Minister Michel Barnier concerning next year’s budget and various related matters. Later that day, Barnier was scheduled to engage with political figures from both the left and the center to discuss these pressing issues.
Le Pen asserted that members of her party would introduce a confidence motion if the current draft of the budget bill remains unchanged as it moves through parliament.
She emphasized her firm “red lines,” which include opposition to an increase in electricity taxes and the urgent need for a rise in state pensions starting in January.
Currently, Barnier’s Cabinet relies on the National Rally’s support to maintain its governance. The deadline for passing the budget is December 21.
Le Pen remarked, “We have outlined the non-negotiable aspects for us,” reinforcing her party’s straightforward political stance and commitment to representing the interests of the French populace.
Since the parliamentary elections of June and July, France’s National Assembly has been fragmented into three principal factions: a left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, centrist allies of President Emmanuel Macron, and Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. None of these groups secured a clear majority in the elections.
Barnier’s government is primarily composed of members from his Republicans party and centrists from Macron’s coalition, who together hold just over 210 seats out of a total of 577.
France is facing significant pressure from the European Union to manage its substantial debt levels. Barnier’s administration is working to decrease the nation’s budget deficit from an approximate 6% of Gross Domestic Product to 5% in the coming fiscal year by implementing a strict budget plan aimed at saving 60 billion euros (around 66 billion dollars).
Recently, the government successfully navigated a confidence vote initiated by the left-wing coalition, thanks to the far-right group’s abstention from participating in the vote.
Le Pen’s statements arise amidst her ongoing trial in Paris, where she and other National Rally members face allegations related to the misuse of European Parliament funds. Prosecutors in Paris have proposed a two-year prison term for her, coupled with a potential five-year ban on holding public office.