PARIS (Reuters) – The president of the National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, posed Monday as the only “credible” alternative to the presidential camp, saying he was “ready” to govern within the framework of a program based on purchasing power, the restoration of order and control of immigration.
The candidate for the post of Prime Minister in the event of a large victory for the RN in the legislative elections of June 30 and July 7 presented to the press on Monday the “priorities” of his “national unity government”. On the menu of measures that have largely already been revealed: the reduction in VAT on energy and fuel, the repeal of the pension reform, the abolition of land law and even the launch of an audit of public accounts.
“The alliance that I lead is today the only credible, responsible alternative capable of initiating the recovery of the country while respecting institutions and individual freedoms and, of course, the unity of the nation,” he said. assured Jordan Bardella, presenting himself as the only “republican bulwark” against the left-wing alliance united under the banner of “New Popular Front”.
As he had already done Thursday during a major oral presentation before the employers’ organizations, the president of the RN sought to “clarify” his position on the pension reform, judging that it had been “distorted or even caricatured”.
From the fall, those who started working before the age of 20 will be able to retire at 60 if they have accumulated 40 years of service, he reaffirmed, referring to a “progressive schedule” for others which will be determined after examining the audit of public accounts that it intends to carry out.
Questioned several times about the costing of his economic program, the president of the RN remained vague, limiting himself to estimating the reduction in VAT on energy and fuel at 7 billion euros – 12 billion in a full year.
A “reasonable” expense, according to him, which will be offset by savings made via the elimination of the tax loophole for shipowners (1.2 billion euros), the reduction in France’s contribution to the EU budget (2 billion) and the increase in the contribution on inframarginal rents (a tax on electricity superprofits, 3 billion).
Jordan Bardella also pleaded for the restoration of order in the face of the “wilding” of society, ensuring that he would be the Prime Minister who “will put authority back at the heart of public action”.
Assuring in particular that he wanted to protect “women and representatives of law and order”, he spoke of the establishment of minimum sentences, the abolition of family allowances for the families of repeat minors and the end of the minority excuse.
At school, the president of the RN wants a “big bang” of authority, with the wearing of uniforms, the ban on cell phones and the dedication of teachers.
On immigration, Jordan Bardella reaffirmed his desire to abolish land law and advocated the systematic expulsion of foreign delinquents or criminals and the reestablishment of the offense of illegal residence.
NOT A “CRUSHING” MAJORITY
The president of the RN assured that he wanted to be the Prime Minister of “all French people”. “I will tell my majority not to be a majority that crushes,” he said, promising “absolute respect for the right of opposition.”
“No rights will be taken away from a single Frenchman, from a single Frenchwoman,” he added, while nevertheless confirming shortly after that dual nationals would be excluded from certain public positions.
“The most strategic positions in the State will be reserved for French nationals,” he said, ensuring that he wanted to protect himself from “attempts at interference orchestrated by foreign interests.”
Referring to Russia, described as a “multidimensional threat”, Jordan Bardella indicated that he would not go back on the commitments made by France to help Ukraine. He nevertheless repeated his “red lines”: no sending French troops to Ukraine or weapons likely to strike targets on Russian territory.
Asked about his relationship with President Emmanuel Macron in the event of cohabitation, Jordan Bardella assured that he would be a Prime Minister “respectful” of the function of the head of state but “uncompromising” on the policy to be pursued.
“I will have the democratic legitimacy to do it.”
(Written by Blandine Hénault, edited by Tangi Salaün)
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