Marine Le Pen delivered a speech in Hénin-Beaumont on September 8, 2024. Following what appeared to be a reprimand from Matignon, the new Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, announced that he would meet with all political forces represented in Parliament to discuss the highly degraded state of public finances. This came after criticisms from Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally, who felt marginalized by Armand, contrary to the government’s commitments.
Armand had expressed his willingness to work with all political parties as long as they were within the bounds of the republic, excluding the National Rally according to him. In response, Marine Le Pen raised her voice, urging Prime Minister Michel Barnier to ensure that the philosophy he expressed is shared by all ministers. She criticized Armand for stating that his door would always be closed to National Rally deputies, especially when crucial budget discussions were ongoing.
Despite the tensions, a statement from the Ministry of Economy later confirmed that in line with the political direction set by the Prime Minister, Armand would meet with all political forces in Parliament. Eric Ciotti, leader of the Union of the Rights for the Republic allied with the National Rally, criticized Armand’s confrontational statements and demanded a public disavowal from Michel Barnier. The Prime Minister later called Armand to remind him of the rules regarding government relations with all political parties in Parliament.
A National Rally deputy expressed satisfaction upon learning about the correction of Armand’s statements through the Bercy communiqué. The same influential deputy had earlier warned that there would be a problem if Armand did not backtrack on his position regarding closed doors for the budget discussions. Philippe Olivier, a special advisor to Marine Le Pen, criticized Armand further, suggesting that his arrogant behavior bordered on censorship. The National Rally lawmakers welcomed the intervention by Michel Barnier later in the day.
Overall, the situation reflected a tense exchange between Marine Le Pen’s party and the government over access to budget discussions and the willingness to engage with all political parties. The Minister of the Economy’s initial exclusionary stance towards the National Rally deputies sparked backlash, leading to a correction and a reminder from the Prime Minister about the necessity of inclusive and respectful political dialogue. The incident highlighted the ongoing challenges and dynamics within the French political landscape as different parties navigate their roles and priorities.
