Eric Zemmour and Sarah Knafo, launched the Reconquest campaign for the European elections in Paris on March 10, 2024. After the expected presidential candidacy of Eric Zemmour in 2022, followed by the inevitable support from Marion Maréchal, Sarah Knafo, a key figure in the far-right party, officially announced her participation in the European elections on April 26. She will be taking the third spot on the list led by the granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the June 9th election.
Sarah Knafo, who has often been compared to influential figures like Marie-France Garaud, a key player in French politics, has stepped out of the shadows two years after leading Eric Zemmour’s presidential campaign. With Reconquest! struggling to maintain support above 5% in the polls six weeks before the vote, Sarah Knafo aims to prevent the party from sinking in the European elections. At the moment, they are watching the candidate of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, leading in the opinion polls.
In her first interview as a candidate, Sarah Knafo took the opportunity to criticize Bardella, accusing him of being a “prestidigitator” for his plan to dissolve the National Assembly if he wins. She highlighted the alleged consistency of Reconquest! compared to the shifting positions of Marine Le Pen’s party, accusing the RN of making decisions based on polls and media narrative. Knafo aims to differentiate her movement as being based on courage, as opposed to the RN’s focus on popularity in polls.
Having dreamed of being a key player in uniting the right for over a decade, Knafo is now focused on the immediate goal of avoiding a collapse of Reconquest! in the European elections, which could lead to the party’s disappearance. Her priority now is to prevent the loss of votes to the National Rally, a party that emphasizes anti-immigration policies, national preference, and the protection of French identity from threats posed by open borders. By criticizing Bardella and the RN, Knafo hopes to steer supporters towards Reconquest!
Sarah Knafo’s move from the background to a more prominent role as a candidate reflects the urgency of the situation for Reconquest! as they face tough competition from the National Rally in the European elections. With her experience in French politics and connections to various sovereignists, Knafo is aiming to save the party from obscurity and strengthen its position in the right-wing political landscape. Her strategic focus is on countering the appeal of the National Rally and offering a distinct alternative to voters in the upcoming elections.
