Key facts
- Jordan Bardella, leader of France's far-right National Rally, intends to halve France's contribution to the EU budget.
- Bardella described Donald Trump's behavior as erratic and unsteady.
- Bardella aims to challenge the EU's long-term budget and build alliances with nationalist governments.
- Bardella stated that the National Rally does not wish to leave the European Union but wants to change its functioning.
- Bardella softened the party's stance on NATO, stating they would not leave the integrated military command during wartime.
- Bardella views Putin's Russia as a multidimensional threat.
Jordan Bardella, the leader of France's far-right National Rally, has signaled a significant shift in the party's approach to the European Union, vowing to challenge its long-term budget and reduce France's financial contribution. In an interview with POLITICO, Bardella described the current EU as "profoundly outdated, obsolete" and stated his ambition to "change everything without destroying anything." He plans to build alliances with other nationalist governments to reshape the bloc's functioning.
Bardella also commented on Donald Trump's behavior, calling it "erratic and unsteady." While seeking to reassure allies about the National Rally's commitment to NATO and European security, particularly in light of Russia's war in Ukraine, Bardella remains firm on reforming the EU. He specifically targeted the EU's next long-term budget, denouncing the proposed timetable as "profoundly anti-democratic" and insisting that any new French government must have a say in its finalization.
He escalated his previous demands by stating he would seek to "cut in half" France's contribution to the EU budget, framing it as a rebate similar to those obtained by countries like Germany and the Netherlands. Bardella also distanced himself from pro-Kremlin stances, calling President Putin's Russia a "multidimensional threat" and accusing Moscow of "direct aggression" against French and European interests. He has softened Le Pen's previous pledge to pull France from NATO's integrated military command, stating that redefining treaty frameworks during wartime is not advisable.