Hard attack before runoff: Le Pen wants to end all "cooperation with Berlin" in terms of defense

Created: 04/13/2022, 21:56

By: Magdalena Furthauer

At a press conference on Wednesday, Marine Le Pen sharply criticized Germany.

© IMAGO / IP3press / Vincent Isore

On April 24, Marine Le Pen will face Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential runoff.

In the run-up to it, however, it is now attacking Germany.

Paris – Just a few days ago she celebrated a success in the presidential election in France *, now Marine Le Pen * shoots against Germany.

Because of "irreconcilable strategic differences" the "cooperation with Berlin" in matters of military strategy must be ended immediately, said the right-wing populist at a press conference on Wednesday.

Before presidential run-off: Marine Le Pen attacks Germany - "End cooperation"

If she wins the run-off election on April 24, she will dissolve the Franco-German armament projects "both for the future fighter jet (FCAS) and for the future main battle tank".

Instead, France must pursue “its own programs”, Le Pen clarifies.

But that's not all of the foreign policy course announcement.

Furthermore, in her statement she accuses Germany of standing for “the absolute negation of the French strategic identity”.

"It is normal for Berlin to defend its interests and for us to defend our interests," said Le Pen. However, the latter had "neglected" her opponent Emmanuel Macron*.

France: Le Pen harshly criticizes Germany - focus on nuclear power

With regard to the energy supply, Le Pen defended the expansion of nuclear power in the press conference and also criticized the German position on this point: "I will not allow Germany to destroy our nuclear industry." Rather, she wants to convince the Germans of the French model, which they believe should be based on nuclear power and hydrogen.

On Twitter, however, she captioned a video of the statement with the words that French diplomacy is primarily about three things: "independence, impartiality and consistency."

Meanwhile, the French writer Olivier Guez warns of a possible victory for Le Pen. She is still doing well in the polls for the French presidential election*, but the French must "beware of self-fulfilling prophecies and fearmongers".

Above all, he accuses her of being close to Russia.

In the context of the Ukraine conflict*, he therefore considers it extremely dangerous "to elect a woman who has connections to Putin." This amounts to an "enormous catastrophe" for the European continent.

Video: Le Pen vs. Macron in the presidential elections in France

French presidential election: allegations of closeness to Russia against Le Pen

Le Pen himself apparently reacted defensively to the allegations at the press conference and defended borrowing from Russian lenders.

It was "perverse" to prevent her party from raising money and then accuse her of looking elsewhere.

As soon as the Ukraine war is over, she wants to promote a "strategic rapprochement" between Russia and NATO, said Le Pen. This is in the interest of France, but also of the USA, in order to prevent a Russian-Chinese alliance.

As much as she is in favor of diplomatic talks in the Ukraine conflict, she is resolutely opposed to EU sanctions against Russia*.

"I don't want it to be the French who suffer the full force of the consequences of decisions that would aim to end gas or oil imports," Le Pen told French media on Tuesday.

She is here "to defend the French" and not to drive up energy costs.