French campaign sharpens as far right accuses left over civil disobedience calls

The National Times - French campaign sharpens as far right accuses left over civil disobedience calls

National Rally president Jordan Bardella has accused left-wing leaders of endangering civil peace if Marine Le Pen wins France’s 2027 presidential election.

Change text size:

With fewer than eight months before voting, Le Pen, 58, leads opinion polls. Recent surveys indicate that France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon may be best placed to reach a run-off against her as support grows for parties outside the political centre.

At an agricultural fair in Châlons-en-Champagne on August 29, Bardella criticised France Unbowed parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot and Greens leader Marine Tondelier for saying they would support civil disobedience after a National Rally victory. Bardella, 30, who is Le Pen’s preferred prime minister, said those statements challenged democratic institutions. His comments were political accusations in an increasingly confrontational campaign.

Mélenchon, 75, said during an August 27 debate that France should disobey European decisions conflicting with voters’ wishes and repeated a proposal to cancel part of the public debt. Bardella responded that France Unbowed intended to destroy institutions. Analysts say a crowded field across the centre-left, centre, centre-right and right could split moderate votes.

Republicans candidate Bruno Retailleau said he would not withdraw for former prime minister Édouard Philippe or another contender, adding that some supporters might switch to the far right if he did. A Le Pen victory would make her France’s first far-right national leader since the Second World War.

A Medef survey found 82 per cent of French business leaders pessimistic about the next president’s economic impact. TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanné said a Le Pen-Mélenchon run-off would pose risks, particularly through proposals he considered irresponsible for public finances.

D.S.Robertson--TNT

Ian Borg Honoured by Palestinian and Arab League Ambassadors for Palestine Support

Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg has been presented with a commemorative plaque by the ambassadors of Palestine and the Arab League to Malta. The honour recognizes his support for Arab causes during his tenure as Foreign Minister, particularly regarding Malta’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine.

Wu Administration Proposes Reforms to Boston’s Inclusionary Zoning Rules

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration announced a new round of policy adjustments on Monday designed to revive stalled affordable housing and commercial development projects. The proposals include extending payment timelines for developers, temporarily exempting smaller residential builds from strict zoning requirements, and freezing an automatic increase in commercial linkage fees to reduce financial burdens in a challenging market.

MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road

A SINN FÉIN MLA has condemned reports that loyalist band members made sectarian gestures at the scene of a Troubles massacre where five Catholic civilians were murdered. Deirdre Hargey has now called on police and transport authorities to investigate the claims following Saturday's Belfast Walker Club parade on the Ormeau Road.

Louise O’Reilly attacks Simon Harris over unemployment remarks

Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly has dubbed Fine Gael leader Simon Harris a “Thatcherite” after the Tánaiste claimed that long-term unemployment is “not a way of life. ” The Sinn Féin social protection spokesperson stated that the Tánaiste has chosen to “stigmatise individuals on the margins of society and cast them as work-shy, rather than answer for his Government’s failures and the serious problems within his own party.