Marion Maréchal, vice-president of the movement Reconquête!, held a meeting in Charvieu-Chavagneux, Isère on April 3, 2024. Despite not encountering any judo athletes at the David-Douillet gymnasium, Marion Maréchal has embraced the principle of adapting rather than opposing the strength of her adversary, in this case, Jordan Bardella, who is leading in the polls for the upcoming election on June 9. During her visit to Isère, Maréchal emphasized her refusal to directly attack the representative of the National Rally (RN), stating that her main opponents in the European elections are the center-right represented by Les Républicains (LR) and the true left represented by socialists and La France Insoumise.
Marion Maréchal, the granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, has faced criticism for her refusal to alienate a potential ally in the RN, with some attributing her decision to her familial and past ties to the party. Despite this, she emphasizes the strategic necessity of forming a coalition on the right, hinting at a possible collaboration with the RN in the future. This stance highlights the internal division within Reconquête! regarding the party’s position towards the RN, with Maréchal firmly maintaining her position on the issue.
Reconquête! has been plagued by internal divisions since the start of the campaign in September, with two factions emerging: one supporting Eric Zemmour and led by his advisor Sarah Knafo, and the other backing the top candidate and having ties to the former National Front (FN, now RN). The revelation of a tense lunch meeting between the two leaders of the far-right party in late March has further exacerbated the strategic differences within the party, particularly in their approaches towards Jordan Bardella.
Jordan Bardella, the protege of Marine Le Pen, has become the focus of Reconquête! as polls indicate a potential shift of former Eric Zemmour voters towards the RN. According to a recent survey, 41% of these voters are considering voting for the RN in the upcoming elections in June. The conflicting messages from Reconquête! leadership regarding the RN have not been able to deter these potential defectors, revealing the challenges faced by the party in maintaining a unified stance towards their main political rival.
Despite the internal struggles within Reconquête! and the uncertainty surrounding their approach towards the RN, Marion Maréchal remains committed to her strategic vision for the party and the broader coalition on the right. The upcoming European elections will test the party’s ability to navigate these challenges and maintain their relevance in the political landscape. As the campaign unfolds, the true impact of these divisions and strategic decisions will become clearer, shaping the future trajectory of Reconquête! in French politics.
