Marine Le Pen, parliamentary leader of France’s National Rally (RN), announced on Tuesday that she is “preparing” for the possibility of early presidential elections should President Emmanuel Macron step down amid France’s ongoing political turbulence.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Le Pen emphasized Macron’s “fragility” and the limited institutional power he currently wields. “His situation is very fragile. The problems could even come from his own bloc, which could be at odds with his prime minister, or from the financial markets,” she declared.
Macron’s term officially runs until 2027, but Le Pen argued that legislative challenges and internal discord might prompt the president to prematurely end his mandate.
In an interview with Le Parisien published on Tuesday evening, Le Pen criticized Macron’s perceived loss of domestic and international influence, claiming he has become isolated both within France and on the global stage.
“Emmanuel Macron, it’s over or almost. My remarks are not intended to be cruel, it is an institutional reality. He even lost his power to appoint the prime minister,” Le Pen remarked, referencing political tensions within Macron’s central bloc.
She also took aim at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling her Macron’s “creature” and suggesting Macron had been humiliated in his dealings with EU leadership.
Le Pen’s ambitions, however, face significant obstacles. She has been accused of embezzling European Union funds, with the Paris Prosecutor’s Office requesting a five-year prison sentence and her disqualification from holding public office. If convicted, her ability to participate in future presidential elections could be jeopardized.
Despite these legal challenges, Le Pen appears resolute in positioning herself as a key challenger to Macron’s presidency. “I am preparing for an early presidential election, as a precaution, given the fragility of Emmanuel Macron, the few institutional levers he has left,” she told the Parisian newspaper.
“His situation is very fragile. The problems could even come from his own central bloc, which could be at odds with the prime minister, or from the financial markets. There are many reasons that could push Emmanuel Macron to end his mandate,” she added.
The French president has insisted he will remain in office until the end of his term, but increasing difficulties in passing legislation due to the complex parliamentary arithmetic as a result of snap elections earlier this year could prove to be insurmountable.
Should Le Pen stand again as the nationalist candidate, it would be her fourth attempt at winning the keys to the Élysée Palace, having come third in 2012 and losing in a second-round run-off to Emmanuel Macron in both 2017 and 2022.
