We promised a “ October in hell » for the head of RN deputies currently on trial in the parliamentary assistants affair. However, the double finalist in the presidential election has never appeared so politically powerful.
The dissolution happened there. The Marinist contingent, 126 deputies since the last legislative elections, weighs more than ever on a fragile government led by a right-wing man Michel Barnier. All in a fragmented Assembly where almost all solutions go through the RN, the left seeming determined to make the central bloc and the far right objective allies.
This hyper-influential position allows Marine Le Pen to exist politically at the time when she appeared, three half days a week (Monday to Wednesday) before the courts in the parliamentary assistants case. She incurs a very unfortunate penalty of ineligibility for “ embezzlement of public funds “. As a result, media and political attention sometimes seems focused more on the RN’s position on the legal texts than on the trial.
For the moment, mainly symbolic victories
With maximum pressure exerted on the government, the far right manages to lead the dance, at least in words.
In September, Marine Le Pen called for a new immigration law, it was announced a few days later. A minister, Antoine Armand, in charge of the Economy, was reframed by Michel Barnier after declaring that he did not want to work with the RN.
Ultimately, this little game could well result in concrete political victories. Starting with the budget: “ It’s not too late to review your copy […] we intend to convince you so as not to have to constrain you » declared Marine Le Pen threateningly at the opening of the debates this week. She knows it: she can overthrow Michel Barnier, in the very likely event of a motion of censure following a 49-3.
Also readIs the RN the master of the political game?
What political gains? For what?
But what can the RN impose in the next budget? If the comfort of the opposition is never having to choose, or at least choosing without major consequences, this time, it will be necessary to decide. And it goes way beyond a simple tie around your neck. It’s about being credible: requests that are too far-fetched discredit, requests that are too demanding place them in the destabilizing camp.
It is therefore a question of clearly and precisely defining red lines in the coming days. For many weeks, Marine Le Pen’s troops have been talking about taxes on electricity and retirement pensions as a priority. But additions could be made.
It also remains to be seen how Matignon will decide. Michel Barnier’s interest is not to appear too subservient to the extreme right. Marine Le Pen wants to goad the government, but arrive at the next dissolution or the next presidential election as a credible opponent.