Michel Barnier accedes to Marine Le Pen's request

Almost

the 11/28/2024 at 3:55 p.m.

Michel Barnier's announcement of a reduction in electricity taxes to respond to a demand made by Marine Le Pen illustrates a dangerous political drift. By acceding to a request put forward by the RN, even if other actors have also pushed in this direction, the Prime Minister blurs the lines between majority and opposition and gives a symbolic victory to a far-right party whose values remain at odds with republican principles. If this measure can relieve households, it represents a cost of 3 billion euros for public finances, and there is no guarantee that this gesture will be enough to defuse the motion of censure that the RN threatens. Furthermore, responding to pressure from the RN, under the guise of pragmatism, amounts to trivializing a party which exploits crises to present itself as a credible alternative, while avoiding debate on its deeply problematic program.
True pragmatism would have consisted of building a consensus with the Republican forces to isolate the extremes, rather than giving in under threat. This type of concession, far from easing tension, strengthens the RN's ability to influence government decisions and weakens the Republican front. Governing is not simply about avoiding censorship, it is about defending principles.