Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella attended a campaign meeting in Hénin-Beaumont, Pas-de-Calais, on May 24, 2024. Bardella, the president of the National Rally (RN) and head of his party’s European elections list, visited the town which is considered a stronghold of French resistance. Despite tensions between Steeve Briois, a close ally of Marine Le Pen and the mayor of Hénin-Beaumont, Bardella emphasized unity in his speech, stating that they would come to power on a platform focused on social and popular policies that unite people from both the left and right. The atmosphere at the event was positive, with a large turnout that filled two halls at the François Mitterrand center.
The previous day’s debate between Bardella and Gabriel Attal did not dampen the spirits of Bardella’s supporters. Many were critical of Attal’s attitude, describing it as mocking and arrogant, which they believed reflected a sense of fear and impending defeat. For some, including a 49-year-old nurse named Stéphanie, Attal’s demeanor in the debate reinforced their decision to vote for Marine Le Pen in 2017. However, others, like Enzo, a young supporter from Lille, felt that Bardella appeared somewhat weak and unable to effectively communicate his viewpoints during the debate. Despite critiques from some quarters, the official party line was one of self-confidence, with senior members of the RN seeing Attal’s aggressive demeanor as potentially damaging.
Despite projecting confidence, the far-right duo of Le Pen and Bardella shifted their campaign focus to include Prime Minister Gabriel Attal as a target. Le Pen criticized the media’s portrayal of Attal’s performance in the debate, accusing them of bias and citing a questionable survey that supposedly showed Bardella as the victor. This move indicated a strategy to redirect attention towards the government and its representatives. Attal was not previously a direct target for the far-right, but their decision to include him in their campaign messaging suggested a shift in tactics as they sought to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses in their opponents. The positioning of Attal as a new focal point reflected the evolving dynamics of the election campaign.
Despite the political maneuvering and tension between different parties, the meeting in Hénin-Beaumont showcased Bardella’s efforts to connect with voters and present a united front with other party members. The large turnout and positive reception indicated strong support for the RN’s platform, which promised a mix of social and populist policies aimed at bridging the divide between left and right-leaning voters. The event highlighted the importance of engaging with local communities and addressing their concerns, as evidenced by the warm reception Bardella received from the mayor and other attendees. Overall, the meeting served as a key moment in Bardella’s campaign and demonstrated the ongoing power struggles within French politics leading up to the European elections.
