Macron allies paint right-wing party as 'Kremlin ally'
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In France's politically divided landscape, Russia's war with Ukraine has become a significant and contentious issue.
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France's President Emmanuel Macron attend a media conference ahead of a working lunch with Moldova's President Maia Sandu at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday March 7, 2024. (AP)
Supporters of French President Emmanuel Macron aimed to portray the country's right-wing factions as aligned with the Kremlin as they kicked off their campaign for the European Parliamentary elections, news sources reported on Saturday.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, aged 34, criticized the right-wing National Rally (RN), which holds a significant lead in Macron's coalition ahead of the June elections, during a speech in the northern city of Lille.
"They have always said 'no' to Europe," Attal said. "The only difference now is that they are hiding it a little and the 'no' has turned into a 'nyet'."
Read more: Le Pen against sanctions on Russia over French interests
Edouard Philippe, the former prime minister under Macron's administration and leader of the Horizons party, cautioned against the dangers of appeasement.
He drew parallels with British statesman Winston Churchill as he criticized those he said were feeding "a crocodile" hoping it would eat them "last".
Macron, intending to participate in the campaign later on, has instructed his ministers to oppose the RN "every step of the way," aiming to counteract the swift ascent of the right-wing movement.
French politics shaped by Ukraine war
In France's politically divided landscape, Russia's war with Ukraine has become a significant and contentious issue.
Macron has been stressing the need for increased backing for Ukraine, sparking controversy last week by not dismissing the possibility of deploying Western troops to the region.
In a seeming reaction to Macron's statements, Putin cautioned about the genuine threat of nuclear conflict.
The upcoming European elections are viewed as a crucial step leading up to France's presidential election in 2027. Le Pen is anticipated to make her fourth attempt for the presidency, while Macron is ineligible to run again due to term restrictions.
Read more: Has Macron made a fool of himself at Western leaders' Ukraine meeting?
