Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), found herself in a precarious position after the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly supported her just days before the French legislative elections. During her appearance on TF1, Le Pen had to address the issue, stating that she does not feel responsible for Russian provocations against France and President Emmanuel Macron.
The Russian Ministry's message, posted on X, praised the French people's desire for a sovereign foreign policy that breaks away from Washington and Brussels. The post, which included a smiling photo of Le Pen, was seen as clear support for her candidacy. This endorsement has added to the longstanding accusations against the RN of having close ties with the Kremlin, a relationship the party has been trying to distance itself from since the onset of the Ukraine war.
The RN has faced scrutiny over a loan it took from a Russian-Czech bank in 2014, which has been a point of contention for its opponents. The party claims to have fully repaid the loan and insists it has never been financially indebted to Russia. However, these assertions have done little to quell suspicions. Emmanuel Macron, during the 2022 presidential debate, accused Le Pen of being influenced by Moscow, a claim she continues to deny.
The Kremlin has expressed keen interest in the French elections, with Russian officials and political scientists noting that they do not expect France to fundamentally change its support for Ukraine. Despite the ongoing war in Eastern Europe, Le Pen reiterated her commitment to supporting Ukraine if her party gains an absolute majority, while firmly stating that no French soldiers would be sent to the frontlines.
- The timing of the Russian Ministry's support has been particularly damaging for the RN, as it comes just four days before the second round of the legislative elections. This has fueled further accusations of 'Putinophilia' from the party's opponents, a label the RN has struggled to shake off.
- Le Pen's appearance on TF1 was an attempt to mitigate the fallout from the Russian endorsement. She emphasized that the provocative nature of the tweet could be seen as interference in French domestic politics. Despite her efforts to distance herself from the Kremlin, the shadow of the 2014 loan continues to loom over her and her party.
- The RN's struggle to 'demonize' itself and present a more mainstream image is ongoing. The party's connections with Russia remain a significant hurdle, especially in the context of the Ukraine war, which has heightened scrutiny of any perceived Russian influence in European politics.
