France’s Political Landscape Changed by Terror?
French conservative leader Marine Le Pen kicked off her presidential campaign this weekend with a two-day rally in Lyon, promising to defend against globalization and make France “free.” In her hour-long speech, she referred to Islamism and globalization as “two totalitarianisms” that seek to “subjugate France.”
“If elected, Le Pen says she would immediately seek an overhaul of the European Union that would reduce it to a very loose cooperative of nations with no single currency and no border-free area,” reports Huffington Post.
Le Pen has published nearly 150 “commitments,” including:
• Leaving the euro zone
• Holding a referendum on EU membership
• Increasing taxes on imports and foreign workers
• Lowering the retirement age
• Increasing welfare benefits
• Lowering income tax
• Securing the country’s borders
• Pulling France out of NATO
Le Pen is the daughter Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of France’s right-wing populist and nationalist party National Front (FN). With Le Pen’s campaign, FN is closer to gaining power now than it has been at any time since its founding in 1972.
This spring’s election is one of the most unpredictable races France has seen in decades, and FN hopes Trump’s victory in the West will improve Le Pen’s chances of winning.
“We were told Donald Trump would never win in the United States against the media, against the establishment, but he won,” announced FN official Jean-Lin Lacapelle. “We were told Marine Le Pen would not win the presidential election, but on May 7 she will win!”
The rise of terror throughout Europe may also play a role in this spring’s election.
France has suffered numerous terror attacks over the past few years, and Le Pen’s isolationist attitude is more appealing than ever. PB feels that Le Pen’s campaign is a positive development, but it is also important to realize that France has been changed in a major way by terrorism.
In a previous article, PB’s Joe Gilbertson explains why the terrorists won in Paris (referring to the attack in November 2015); it may be too early to tell if we are heading down the path we outlined or if there will be a sudden change from the liberal polices that are creating problems
