The stakes of the French presidential election also captivate across the Atlantic.
From Washington, Steve Bannon, former campaign manager of Donald Trump and great architect of his victory in 2016, gave an interview to the
Parisian
, just before being charged with "contempt of Congress" for his refusal to participate in the investigations on the assault on the Capitol on January 6.
For the French daily, he agreed to analyze the French political scene.
And first of all the key media figure of recent weeks: Éric Zemmour.
To discover
Presidential 2022: where are the candidates in the polls?
To read also In Italy, the setbacks of Steve Bannon
"
This is an interesting phenomenon
," admits the political adviser, who "
listened
" to him and "read excerpts from his books", which he would see himself published in the United States.
Like many observers, Steve Bannon notices some similarities with Donald Trump.
“
He too captures the attention of the media by promoting his ideas.
It reaches hearts and minds,
”he says.
“
Zemmour also talks about 'make France great again', to restore France to its greatness.
This language is not acceptable to globalist elites
”.
A close eye on the presidential election
However, a point separates the two men, according to Steve Bannon: Eric Zemmour is "
an intellectual
", unlike Donald Trump, who "
was the first to recognize
" that he was not, but who remains according to him "
a man. very intelligent businesswoman
”.
For the political adviser, the character of Zemmour “
adds an intellectual to the
sovereignist
debate
”, which has a good number of “
people of action
” with “
Trump, Bolsonaro or Salvini
”.
"
The French admire the ideas of freedom, and that is why it has such an impact on young people in France,
" he says.
To read also Nicolas Sarkozy charges Eric Zemmour: "Compare him to de Gaulle ... It's strong!"
Steve Bannon will therefore keep a close eye on the campaign and the French presidential election.
"
In the spring of 2022, the world will have its eyes fixed on the great debate in France which will be that of globalization against sovereignty,
" he predicts.
On this occasion, he also announced to the
Parisian
the launch in France of his podcast "
War room
", very popular in the United States, which will be devoted to electoral issues.
"
We think that France is a laboratory
", he justifies.
France "is transforming itself into a right-wing country"
No question, however, for him to make a choice between Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen: "
I do not tell people who to vote for, I want to tell people that they must think of populism, nationalism, sovereignty as an alternative.
". But Steve Bannon “
believes [t] in the virtues of competition. Together, they represent the driving force behind the election,
”he says. “
What is interesting in what is happening in France at the moment is that if you add Marine Le Pen, Eric Zemmour as well as the center-right parties, you have 50% of the vote. France was one of the most progressive nations in the world, but it is quickly turning into a right-wing country
”.
Read also According to the polls, where do Eric Zemmour's potential voters come from?
Steve Bannon in any case does not bury Marine Le Pen, ahead in some polls by his new competitor.
"
It is falling in the polls but I think it's temporary,
" he said.
For him, the president of the RN has a chance in 2022, she who "
would have won [in 2017] without her debate between two rounds
".
The former director of Donald Trump's companion, on the other hand, is not gentle with the outgoing president: “
I don't think Macron is that smart, he's a typical investment banker.
"
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