Guest commentary: Why France's far right is committed to austerity policies
Marine Le Pen is calling for a debt brake modelled on the German example. This could indicate a change in the European extreme right, says Sorbonne historian Laurent Warlouzet.
Marine Le Pen, the head of France's far-right Rassemblement National (RN), unveiled an economic plan centered around rapid budget consolidation, or austerity measures. This shift is a stark contrast to the party's past and aligns with a broader trend in European right-wing politics. The RN's move comes amid widespread protests and challenges in forming a budget due to the government's precarious position without a parliamentary majority.
France's public debt stands at 119% of GDP, with the deficit projected to reach 5.4% of GDP in 2026, significantly exceeding the EU's three percent limit. To reduce the deficit to five percent by 2027, the government announced extremely unpopular budget cuts totaling 54 billion euros. However, Le Pen aims to push the austerity agenda even further.
She proposes France adopt Germany's "debt brake" (a statutory limit on budget deficits) by enshrining a "golden rule" in the French constitution. Crucially, such a constitutional amendment would require approval through a national referendum.
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