The presidential majority wonders about the best way to counter Marine Le Pen

The National Rally is leading the polls for the European elections. Demonizing the far-right party no longer seems enough and many are worried about the next presidential election.

How to counter the National Rally (RN)? This question obsesses the presidential majority. Olivier Véran was in Crépol on Monday, in the town where young Thomas was killed, and the government spokesperson was marked by the testimony of a resident: in 2002 he had voted for Jacques Chirac “with a clothespin” against Jean-Marie Le Pen, but next time, he is sorry, he will vote for Marine Le Pen.

The progression of the RN vote leaves some elected officials distraught like this deputy who admits to being “short of arguments to convince people not to vote RN, they are flawless on everything”. Latest episode to date: the ultra-right demonstrations, which worry the executive, are condemned by the RN, all in its strategy of “respectabilisation”.

So the majority is firing on all cylinders against the far right. Olivier Véran continues his tour of cities run by the RN. Friday December 1, he will be in Hénin-Beaumont, in Pas-de-Calais, the stronghold of Marine Le Pen. With his colleague Minister of Industry, Roland Lescure, they will visit a factory to show that no territory is abandoned. But this tour, “How many votes does that change?” asks a member of the majority, no more convinced by Éric Dupond-Moretti’s method. Tuesday, November 28 in the Assembly, the Minister of Justice urged the RN to expel from its ranks “identity”, “nazillons”, “racist” And “anti-Semitic”. Macronists find “essential” to continue to demonize the RN when others believe that “it does not work anymore”.

Renaissance work on a “black book” of the RN

As soon as elected in 2017, Emmanuel Macron said he would “everything so that voters no longer have any reason to vote for the extremes”. So the Macronists are hammering it, we need “results” to counter Marine Le Pen, results on all fronts: security, immigration, medical deserts, public services… An MP outlines a mea culpa: “the initial error of macronism, it is to believe that a few points of growth can solve all the problems, while full employment would not be enough to prevent a victory for Le Pen. she says.

The majority also seeks to torpedo the “balance sheet” of the RN. A Modem deputy accuses them “amateurism” to the Assembly. A close friend of Édouard Philippe looks at the RN mayors: “Are they effective or not? Only by showing their unpreparedness can we fight” he said. Renaissance is working on a “black book” of the RN in Brussels, which will be released during the European campaign. A sign of concern for 2027, when Macronists are asked if they have a favorite among the potential candidates, many respond: “the one who ensures we beat Marine Le Pen”.