On the morning of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a collision between two barges, barges for bulk transport, off the coast of Mayotte marked Marine Le Pen’s trip to the archipelago. The leader of the National Rally (RN), who was heading to Petite-Terre airport for her return to mainland France, was on board one of the boats. If Jean-Marie Le Pen’s daughter emerged unscathed from the incident, four minor injuries were reported according to the latest information from BFMTV. This event takes place in a particular context, where the presence of Marine Le Pen on the island takes on political and symbolic importance.
Mayotte: a minor accident but injuries to be deplored
The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m., as reported by BFMTV, while the barge carrying Marine Le Pen was leaving Grande-Terre, the main island of Mayotte, to reach Petite-Terre. A collision with another barge coming in the opposite direction threw several passengers to the groundcausing four minor injuries, according to the Maritime Transport Service (STM).
The 56-year-old politician, who had already been the victim of an attack, remained firmly clinging to her seat, was not injured, as confirmed by those around her to the French press. “We were lucky, many people were lucky in their misfortune“declared the MP for Pas-de-Calais in Mayotte the first at the microphone of BFMTV. Among the injured was a mechanic who may have suffered several fractures, according to testimonies collected.
Marine Le Pen: a tense trip to Mayotte
Marine Le Pen has been visiting the archipelago since Sunday, three weeks after the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido. This natural disaster seriously affected the island, highlighting already well-known issues: insecurity, high cost of living, and precariousness of public services.
During her stay, the member of the National Assembly held numerous meetings with residents, firefighters and disaster victims, while strongly criticizing the government for its management of overseas territories. “The proposed measures are not up to the challenges facing Mayotte“, she affirmed, reiterating her desire to defend overseas territories in her political program.
A well-established political strategy
The presence of Marine Le Pen in Mayotte is part of a clear political strategy. During the 2022 presidential election, the leader of the RN, who was abandoned by her mother, obtained impressive scores in the Overseas Territories: 59% of the votes in Mayotte in the second roundand similar records in other territories.
These regular visits allow Jordan Bardella’s friend to strengthen her image of proximity with the inhabitants of Overseas. By focusing on concrete subjects such as access to drinking water, immigration and the cost of livingthe latter consolidates a loyal electoral base while projecting a renewed image of her party, sometimes accused of xenophobia.
Mayotte: a major issue for the RN
The collision this Tuesday morning did not eclipse the political issues linked to Marine Le Pen’s visit. In Mayotte, where illegal immigration is a major problem, the MP once again pleaded for a strict reform of land law, linking the situation of the island to that of the metropolis.
“The chaos we see here is a warning for all of France“already declared the member of the National Rally in 2022. This speech, intended to fuel the debate on immigration, particularly resonates in a context where the government of Emmanuel Macron, in the midst of controversy, is considering toughening migration policies.
Source used:
BFMTV
