In an immediate reaction to French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of dissolving the National Assembly after the far-right's success in the European elections, its leader Marine Le Pen stated: "We are ready to exercise power if the French people give us their trust." Macron announced on Sunday evening the dissolution of the National Assembly and the organization of new legislative elections, following the far-right's significant electoral victory, which garnered over 30% of the votes, inflicting a major defeat on the presidential majority that received around 15%, according to estimates.
Marine Le Pen had previously lost to Macron twice in the presidential elections of 2017 and 2022, and she aims once again for the presidency in the upcoming elections scheduled for 2027. The ambitious woman, known for her sharp demeanor, is the youngest daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the "National Front" and one of the most controversial figures in the modern history of French politics.
Le Pen's presence in French politics was not solely a result of political inheritance; her successes are primarily due to her careful efforts to dismantle what her father established, particularly removing all the racist undertones that marked his rhetoric. She embarked on a "de-demonization" campaign of the "National Front," going as far as expelling her father in August 2015, once she became convinced that his controversial positions would remain an obstacle to any national victory.
Additionally, she worked to change the image of the party she has headed since 2011 through a long process, one milestone of which was the renaming of the party to "National Rally" instead of "National Front" in 2018. In an interview with the French magazine "Closer," Marine spoke about her father's influence, revealing that "it was not easy for people during her youth to be involved in a romantic relationship with her because of the name she carries." She added, "I remember that one man chose to break up with me due to the immense pressure imposed on him by his social environment."
Currently, she is a mother of three children from two marriages that ended in divorce. Over the past years, the 55-year-old Le Pen has attempted to project a more amiable image, responding less emotionally to journalists' questions, smiling more, and choosing lighter-colored clothing. As for her stances on immigration, which is a major issue for the European far-right, a study by the Jean Jaurès Foundation concluded that Le Pen has become more hardline in this context.
Le Pen wants to enshrine "national priority" in the French constitution, which would deny foreigners several privileges. She also seeks to deport illegal immigrants, criminals, foreign offenders, as well as those suspected of extremism and unemployed foreigners for over a year.
