Following their election in the early legislative elections on June 30 and July 7, the deputies of the National Rally (RN) are preparing to return to the National Assembly. Despite their group growing from 88 to 126 deputies, the homecoming has a bitter taste for the far-right elected officials, who had hoped for an absolute majority. Gilles Pennelle, then the general director of the RN, had been tasked with the “Plan Matignon” to find reliable candidates in preparation for possible early legislative elections. However, on the evening of July 7, after a campaign marred by racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic remarks from several candidates, the party finds itself relegated to third place, behind the New Popular Front and the presidential coalition. The goal of reaching Matignon is a failure, leading to Gilles Pennelle’s resignation on July 8.
As Marine Le Pen and the RN deputies arrive at the National Assembly for a group photo on July 10, 2024, a second agenda emerges as more than 250 collaborators enter the Palais Bourbon with the deputies. While less exposed than the elected officials, several of these collaborators had also courted controversy during the campaign. Despite scandals, some controversial figures like Andrea Orabona, who had garnered attention for liking a Facebook page that paid tribute to Marshal Pétain and celebrated white supremacy, still retain the party’s trust as parliamentary collaborators. Additionally, in another incident in Pas-de-Calais, the mayor reveals that a National Rally municipal councilor uses a pseudonym on social media that references a Nazi symbol, raising further concerns about the party’s associations and ideologies.
Furthermore, while Marine Le Pen has distanced herself from the Russian government since the invasion of Ukraine, there are instances where her parliamentary assistants seem to maintain ties with Russia. For example, a collaborator for a RN deputy has been sharing false information about the war in Ukraine and Russian propaganda on his Facebook account. Another assistant, working for a different RN deputy, openly advocated for the recognition of Russian Crimea and supported referendums for the annexation of Ukrainian regions. These instances raise questions about the alignment of some RN parliamentary staff with Russian interests, despite the official stance of Marine Le Pen distancing herself from the Kremlin.
As the RN deputies and their staff prepare to resume their duties in the National Assembly, the aftermath of the failed “Plan Matignon” casts a shadow over the party’s ambitions. The departure of Gilles Pennelle following the disappointing election results signals a need for introspection and adjustment within the ranks of the National Rally. The party’s hopes of achieving a majority and potentially securing positions of power have been derailed by controversial statements and actions from multiple candidates, exposing internal divisions and challenges that need to be addressed moving forward.
The return to the National Assembly for Marine Le Pen and the RN deputies represents not only a reassertion of their political presence but also a reckoning with the controversies and missteps that have tarnished their image. The mixed reception of their increased parliamentary group size serves as a reminder of the challenges facing the far-right party in terms of public perception and political strategy. Moving forward, the National Rally will need to navigate these obstacles, address internal issues, and redefine its approach to regain credibility and pursue its political agenda effectively amidst a changing political landscape both domestically and internationally.
