France's Shift to the Extreme Right: A Blend of Farce and Tragedy

France's political landscape shifts rightward, characterized by a blend of farcical and tragic elements. The rise of extreme right-wing ideologies raises concerns about societal polarization and the future of French democracy, reflecting broader European political trends.

The Le Pen family drama and Éric Ciotti reportedly barricading himself in his office would be almost comical if the situation weren't so grim.

Éric Ciotti, exit stage right. On June 11, the leader of France’s historic center-right party, Les Républicains (LR), appeared on television to clarify his stance amidst a shifting political landscape. With left-wing parties negotiating a "popular front" ahead of the snap elections on June 30 and July 7, Ciotti declared his intention to pursue an unprecedented alliance with Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) following its significant victory in the recent European Parliament elections.

This development is the latest twist triggered by Emmanuel Macron's unexpected dissolution of parliament on Sunday, sparking a major political crisis and likely leading to a realignment of political forces and loyalties. The center-right has long adopted elements of Le Pen-style politics, such as fears of national decline and culture wars against French Muslims, even embracing the "great replacement" theory. However, the party, which upholds the legacy of "Gaullism," has maintained a rhetorical rejection of the Le Pen family’s political agenda. The National Rally, formerly the Front National, was founded by Jean-Marie Le Pen and other neo-fascists in 1972 after Charles de Gaulle acknowledged defeat in France's colonial war over Algeria.

Since Tuesday, the Républicains have been embroiled in a civil war akin to a burlesque melodrama. RN president Jordan Bardella announced that “dozens” of LR candidates could receive far-right support, leading the rest of the LR leadership to denounce Ciotti’s move as a unilateral decision made without consulting party officials. Many believe Ciotti, an outgoing deputy from the Provence region, harbors personal ambitions, notably an obsession with becoming the mayor of Nice, bypassing his local rival Christian Estrosi. On Wednesday afternoon, Ciotti reportedly barricaded himself in the LR headquarters near the National Assembly, while party elites denounced him as a traitor on live television. He was expelled on Wednesday, though it remains unclear who now leads the fragmented party.

Boston Brand Media brings you the latest news.The motivation behind Éric Ciotti's move is likely driven by the shifting preferences of conservative voters towards Le Pen and the National Rally (RN). Despite the LR elite's distaste for the Le Pen family, their voter base is increasingly leaning towards the hard right. Young militants and party members recognize where the momentum and potential future opportunities lie within the French right. Guilhem Carayon, the leader of the party's youth branch, has supported Ciotti’s push for an alliance.

Examining the EU vote results reveals the trend: in Ciotti’s Nice district, RN secured nearly 30% of the vote, while the Républicains only garnered 9.75%. Historically strong in bourgeois areas of Paris and its western suburbs, the party is facing growing competition from Macron’s nationalist conservatism and the far right, including figures like Éric Zemmour and Marion Maréchal. Although LR emerged as the top right-wing force in some districts, the combined scores of Bardella’s list and Maréchal's faction often surpassed them.

Another key influence on Ciotti’s decision was Vincent Bolloré. According to Le Monde, Bolloré, a conservative oligarch, lobbied for the alliance with Le Pen and Bardella. Bolloré’s media empire, which includes far-right TV channel CNews and other outlets, has been promoting this union of right-wing forces to make far-right ideas dominant in French conservatism.

Following Ciotti’s expulsion, the LR leadership believes they have regained control. However, Ciotti has contested his dismissal, releasing a video bearing the party’s logo and planning legal action. Meanwhile, Macron and his allies are appealing to the remaining Gaullist right to support the center, though they might be contending for an empty shell. François-Xavier Bellamy, LR’s campaign leader for the European elections, stated he would vote for RN over the left in a run-off.

Ciotti’s unofficial alliance with RN has given Bardella and Le Pen what they wanted: confirmation that RN is now the main line of French conservatism. Although Zemmour’s Reconquête has been sidelined, his vision of a united right is materializing without him, as upper-middle-class conservatives shift towards RN. Marion Maréchal, recently expelled from Reconquête, may be planning a return to her family’s party, underscoring the consolidation of right-wing hegemony led by Le Pen, Bardella, and Bolloré.

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Source: The guardian‍