The National Rally targeted, but the National Rally valued. By making the Lepénist push the first motive of his counter-offensive, Emmanuel Macron is paradoxically doing Jordan Bardella's party a favour. And gives him three gifts.
By appointing Gabriel Attal, the head of state first gave the RN president a label of seriousness. Five years ago, Marine Le Pen succeeded in a successful PR operation by propelling a 23-year-old unknown. Since then, the youngest member of the political landscape has entered the ranks of the French people's favourite politicians (along with the two-time presidential finalist, the new prime minister and Édouard Philippe). But popularity doesn't make the experience. Announcing Bardella to Matignon remains audacious on the part of the Pas-de-Calais deputy. But since Macron dares to appoint a 34-year-old prime minister, why can't she appoint one who will be 31 in 2027?
Lending credibility to the prospect of victory
Dramatizing an RN "threat", first in the European elections, in the presidential election...
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