In a Le Monde chronicle, Philippe Bernard analyzes how Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella's National Rally adopts a catch-all strategy to appeal to various electorates. This approach, however, masks the violence of its program, focused on rejecting 'enemies from within,' mainly foreigners. Historian Laurent Joly links this to the nationalist DNA of the French far right.
Emboldened by a parliamentary debate where it plays a pivotal role and by favorable polls, the French far right is capitalizing on the major budget discussions to reach social categories long deaf to its calls, such as retirees and business leaders, while maintaining its grip on working classes. Embodied by the Le Pen-Bardella duo, this catch-all strategy combines a protective state for the people and anti-tax liberalism. The National Rally (RN) promises across the board: tax cuts for modest households (in reality for middle classes and heirs), refusal to 'tax the rich,' reduction of state spending, fight against insecurity, and gains in purchasing power.
But these demagogic and often incoherent largesses mask the real payer: foreigners. The RN's parliamentary weight, increased since the 2024 dissolution, the collapse of the Macron executive, and the gradual rallying of the Republican right allow it to be heard on issues like the budget. The phrase 'enemies from within' is not new and is highly connoted. Historian Laurent Joly recalls that a 'patriotism turned against "enemies from within" of foreign origin' founded nationalism born at the end of the 19th century. This 'ethnic nationalism' dear to the disciples of Maurice Barrès (1862-1923) and Charles Maurras (1868-1952) constitutes the DNA of the French far right. 'That is how it is still recognized today,' he specifies.
Certainly, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella swear they have broken with ideologies and are guided only by 'common sense.' But the identitarian and racialist currents that fed the National Front continue to be represented in their entourage. Foreigners are targeted by all RN speeches as the main 'enemies from within.' In her back-to-school speech on September 14 in Bordeaux, the RN leader promised 'massive savings on immigration as a social counter,' punctuated by her audience's 'We are at home!' chants.