Corentin Lesueur

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French PM Bayrou turns to confidence vote to defuse 2026 budget defeat

François Bayrou has called for a vote of confidence in his government on September 8 in the Assemblée Nationale, saying he seeks 'clarification.' But his fall seems all but certain, as both the left and the far right have already announced they will vote against him.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 11:05 am (Paris) Mariama Darame Corentin Lesueur

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How France's far right is betting on cryptocurrencies

The Rassemblement National is preparing a draft law to 'mine' bitcoin using surplus electricity from nuclear power plants, demonstrating the far right's parliamentary advocacy on the issue.

Published on July 30, 2025, at 1:02 pm (Paris) Robin D’Angelo Corentin Lesueur

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Marine Le Pen continued to receive €5,000 a month from her party two years after stepping down as its president

Until at least June 2024, the former president of the Rassemblement National received exactly the same pay she had earned in the previous six years as head of the far-right party.

Published on July 23, 2025, at 10:38 am (Paris), updated on July 24, 2025, at 10:28 am Corentin Lesueur

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Oppositions threaten to topple French government after 2026 budget cuts unveiled

The cost-cutting measures unveiled by French Prime Minister François Bayrou on Tuesday, including the elimination of two public holidays, drew sharp criticism from the left and the far right.

Published on July 16, 2025, at 11:34 am (Paris), updated on July 17, 2025, at 2:53 am Alexandre Pedro Sandrine Cassini Corentin Lesueur

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With Le Pen barred from running for president, is her lieutenant, Jordan Bardella, up to the challenge?

Marine Le Pen was banned from running for office effective immediately, and is not certain that her appeal trial will take place before the 2027 presidential election. Her lieutenant faces questions over his idle leadership.

Published on March 31, 2025, at 5:30 pm (Paris), updated on May 26, 2025, at 11:57 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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Marine Le Pen's 2027 presidential bid in jeopardy after court bans far-right leader from running in elections

Convicted of embezzlement of public funds, the French far-right leader was on Monday sentenced to a five-year ban on running for office, effective immediately, even pending an appeal.

Published on March 31, 2025, at 1:04 pm (Paris), updated on April 23, 2025, at 12:17 pm Corentin Lesueur

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Le Pen's party in denial over possibility of their leader being banned from running for public office

In the run-up to the Paris Criminal Court's ruling on the far-right party's fake jobs trial, on Monday, the feared possibility of Marine Le Pen being unable to run for president in 2027 is taboo within the movement.

Published on March 30, 2025, at 7:30 pm (Paris), updated on March 31, 2025, at 7:11 pm Corentin Lesueur

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Le Pen visits Chad to capitalize on Macron's African failures

The leader of the French far right, accompanied by her right-hand man Louis Aliot, will meet President Mahamat Idriss Déby. Her aim: To forge a 'presidential' stature.

Published on March 14, 2025, at 2:41 pm (Paris), updated on March 14, 2025, at 2:41 pm Corentin Lesueur Benjamin Roger

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Invite from Israeli government opens new chapter for French far-right party with anti-Semitic past

Israel long considered Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National untouchable. But party chairman Jordan Bardella has been invited to speak at a conference in Jerusalem that will be concluded by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Published on March 14, 2025, at 12:55 pm (Paris), updated on May 26, 2025, at 11:57 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

News analysis Subscribers only

Pro-Trump or anti-American? Le Pen gets caught between new and old sentiments

Despite her party's ideological convergence with President Donald Trump, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been wary of the consequences of too openly supporting the leader of a foreign power.

Published on March 11, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Corentin Lesueur

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Le Pen defends decision to topple French government as 'reasonable'

Marine Le Pen and her MPs sought to downplay the consequences of a decision that is worrying its supporters, and even those within their own ranks.

Published on December 5, 2024, at 4:53 pm (Paris) Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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Le Pen's questionable art of the deal

By asserting that her group would vote in favor of the motion of no confidence tabled by the left, despite the concessions obtained from the prime minister, the far-right leader runs the risk of alienating the right-wing electorate she covets.

Published on December 3, 2024, at 11:32 am (Paris), updated on December 5, 2024, at 9:47 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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French PM Barnier faces no-confidence threat from far right

The far-right Rassemblement National party could join the left in backing a motion of no confidence if Michel Barnier uses Article 49.3 to pass the 2025 budget without a vote in Parliament. The prime minister will meet far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Monday.

Published on November 22, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris) Claire Gatinois Corentin Lesueur Nathalie Segaunes

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Le Pen's no. 2, gradually taking liberties, relishes in his authority

As chairman of Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National party, Jordan Bardella is cautiously asserting his independence from the three-time presidential candidate.

Published on November 13, 2024, at 4:04 pm (Paris), updated on May 26, 2025, at 11:57 am Corentin Lesueur

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Why Le Pen doesn't dare say Trump is a role model anymore

The far-right Rassemblement National has banned its members from commenting on the US election. Though Marine Le Pen saw Donald Trump as a role model, she is afraid that endorsing him would weaken her efforts to normalize her party.

Published on November 5, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on November 5, 2024, at 9:51 am Corentin Lesueur

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French far-right recruits neo-fascist parliamentary assistant

Rafael Ferron, a proponent of the 'Great Replacement' racist conspiracy theory, was hired as an assistant for a Rassemblement National MP.

Published on September 27, 2024, at 12:53 pm (Paris) Corentin Lesueur

News analysis Subscribers only

How the French far right is planning to take advantage of the Barnier government

Able to block the new government at any time, Marine Le Pen wants to take advantage of the situation to wrest a few victories, however symbolic, from a prime minister who owes his reprieve only to concessions made to the far right.

Published on September 23, 2024, at 3:25 pm (Paris), updated on September 23, 2024, at 3:26 pm Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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Far right wants to ban hiring a foreigner in case French candidate applies to same job

To enforce the "national preference" central to its program for decades, the far right wants to mandate the inclusion of nationality as a hiring criterion for all private sector jobs.

Published on September 22, 2024, at 2:00 am (Paris), updated on September 23, 2024, at 3:01 pm Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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Inside Macron's lengthy hesitations before appointing Barnier

The former European commissioner's appointment as prime minister on Thursday, September 5, came after several options had been ruled out. Here's what happened behind the scenes during the last 10 days of talks and consultations.

Published on September 11, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris) Sandrine Cassini, Claire Gatinois, Clément Guillou, Corentin Lesueur, Alexandre Pedro, Solenn de Royer, Nathalie Segaunes and Laurent Telo

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Far right given kingmaker role in Macron's prime minister search

With its 126 MPs, plus 16 allies, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National carries more weight than the others in the eyes of the president, eager to ensure the stability of the future government.

Published on September 5, 2024, at 12:59 pm (Paris), updated on September 5, 2024, at 3:59 pm Claire Gatinois Corentin Lesueur

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Anti-left front emerges as Macron-backed candidate re-elected as Assemblée Nationale president

Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the Assemblée Nationale, was re-elected on Thursday against left-wing candidate André Chassaigne and far-right candidate Sébastien Chenu. She called for 'new methods'... just as she did in 2022.

Published on July 19, 2024, at 11:59 am (Paris) Mariama Darame, Rachel Garrat-Valcarcel, Corentin Lesueur and Alexandre Pedro

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Far-right RN carries out discreet purge after electoral failure

The Rassemblement National has dismissed several members who proved to be xenophobic, racist or anti-Semitic during the election campaign.

Published on July 14, 2024, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Corentin Lesueur Benjamin Keltz

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Marine Le Pen puts troops back into line on first day back at the Assemblée

Re-elected as president of the largest group in the Assemblée Nationale, the far-right leader has asked elected MPs to refrain from expressing personal opinions and to not describe the snap election results as a 'defeat.'

Published on July 11, 2024, at 11:40 am (Paris), updated on July 11, 2024, at 3:49 pm Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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Bardella faces first questioning as head of Rassemblement National

Voices within the far-right party are denouncing the young leader's strategic errors after a disappointing result in the legislative elections, citing problematic candidate choices and not enough presence on the ground.

Published on July 9, 2024, at 7:00 pm (Paris), updated on May 26, 2025, at 11:58 am Corentin Lesueur Clément Guillou

Feature Subscribers only

The RN's bitterness and denial after the French elections

The far-right party failed to replicate the broad success it achieved in the European elections and in the first round of voting, and is not yet willing to question what cost it its predicted victory.

Published on July 8, 2024, at 11:19 am (Paris), updated on July 8, 2024, at 11:38 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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French elections: Far-right RN party obtains large group, but falls far from goal of absolute majority

The far right has been beaten by the coalition of the left, but the Rassemblement National party could still represent the largest group of MPs in the Assemblée Nationale.

Published on July 7, 2024, at 11:27 pm (Paris), updated on July 8, 2024, at 8:12 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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French elections: RN's disreputable candidates expose flaws in party's boasted readiness

The far-right party claimed to be fully prepared for potential early elections, with a plan to conquer the prime minister's office. But dozens of candidates turned out to have racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic or xenophobic leanings.

Published on July 5, 2024, at 8:50 pm (Paris), updated on July 5, 2024, at 8:54 pm Corentin Lesueur

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French elections: Far right rules out withdrawing candidates ahead of second round

The Rassemblement National's strategy aims to mock the other blocs' use of candidate withdrawals to prevent the election of far-right MPs. Despite this, the RN is confident that an absolute majority is still within reach.

Published on July 2, 2024, at 7:35 pm (Paris), updated on July 3, 2024, at 8:17 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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French elections: Far right, euphoric at historic score, verges on seizing power

Far-right leader Jordan Bardella confirmed that he would only accept being named prime minister if he obtains an absolute majority at the Assemblée Nationale. Yet both he and Marine Le Pen know they will need to rally beyond their ranks.

Published on July 1, 2024, at 11:27 am (Paris), updated on July 1, 2024, at 11:29 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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French elections: Far-right Rassemblement National confirms dominance despite wavering promises

The party led by Jordan Bardella and his allies won 33.2% of the vote, ahead of the Nouveau Front Populaire and the presidential coalition, according to initial national estimates. Never before had the far-right party broken the 20% barrier in a parliamentary election.

Published on June 30, 2024, at 9:19 pm (Paris), updated on July 1, 2024, at 1:26 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

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2024 French election: First TV debate misses the stakes of a major election

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal clashed with the president of far-right Rassemblement National, Jordan Bardella, and a representative of the left-wing alliance, Manuel Bompard, in a debate that alternated between financial quibbles and a catalog of promises.

Published on June 26, 2024, at 11:10 am (Paris) Corentin Lesueur Robin D’Angelo

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Bardella presents reduced and discriminatory policy platform for France's snap elections

Justifying backing down on some of his party's key measures, the president of the Rassemblement National confirmed that, if he became prime minister, dual nationals would be excluded from certain public positions.

Published on June 25, 2024, at 11:12 am (Paris), updated on June 26, 2024, at 9:52 am Corentin Lesueur

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Le Pen's RN takes aim at dual nationals and 'French of foreign origin'

Marine Le Pen and her party believe there should be several categories of French people. They intend to enshrine in the Constitution a ban on dual nationals holding certain public positions.

Published on June 23, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris) Corentin Lesueur

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Le Pen on track to dismantle the French right

By agreeing to forge an alliance with the far right, the leader of the conservative party has crossed a line, fulfilling the personal objective of Jean-Marie Le Pen's daughter.

Published on June 12, 2024, at 3:30 pm (Paris), updated on June 13, 2024, at 10:36 am Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur

Interview Subscribers only

'The spread of the RN vote reflects a social malaise that goes beyond the issue of racism'

In an interview with Le Monde, political scientist Luc Rouban examines how the Rassemblement National moved away from the traditional factors influencing the far-right vote in the European elections.

Published on June 12, 2024, at 3:00 am (Paris) Corentin Lesueur

Investigation Subscribers only

Why is Jordan Bardella so popular among young French voters?

Whether on TikTok or at rallies, the far-right candidate is garnering support among certain sectors of France's high school, university, and young working demographics.

Published on June 9, 2024, at 5:44 am (Paris), updated on June 9, 2024, at 2:30 pm Charlotte Bozonnet, Camille Bordenet, Léa Iribarnegaray, Clément Guillou and Corentin Lesueur

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European elections: A look back at a French campaign dominated by domestic issues

The president's camp, which had previously made Europe one of its flagship issues, failed to assert its positions. Several of its rivals, starting with the lead far-right candidate, attempted to turn the vote into an 'anti-Macron referendum.'

Published on June 8, 2024, at 5:59 pm (Paris) Robin D’Angelo, Sandrine Cassini, Corentin Lesueur and Alexandre Pedro

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EU elections: French far right's Bardella debates PM seeking legitimacy and 'humility'

The lead candidate for Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National is putting his party's credibility on the line in a debate with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

Published on May 23, 2024, at 3:39 pm (Paris), updated on May 23, 2024, at 5:55 pm Corentin Lesueur

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European elections: Le Pen officially breaks with German ally AfD

After the German far-right party's lead candidate made revisionist remarks in an interview, Marine Le Pen made it clear that her party would not sit in the same group as AfD members in the European Parliament.

Published on May 22, 2024, at 10:05 am (Paris), updated on June 26, 2024, at 1:52 pm Clément Guillou Corentin Lesueur Virginie Malingre

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Macron considers debating Le Pen to avoid European elections fiasco

According to the president's supporters, such a face-off would illustrate the battle between 'nationalists and progressives' that they have sought to establish. Le Pen said she would not rule out taking part in a debate, but would prefer to hold it after the elections.

Published on May 13, 2024, at 10:53 am (Paris), updated on May 13, 2024, at 12:34 pm Claire Gatinois Corentin Lesueur

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