Le Pen allies plan to cut EU diplomatic arm if she wins in 2027

"The reality is that [Kallas's] usefulness is very limited, and she duplicates the diplomacy of member states," said Charles-Henri Gallois, adviser to National Rally President Jordan Bardella. "No one recognizes her legitimacy, particularly not the United States, nor China." National Rally MEP Jean-Paul Garraud said Kallas has "used very warrior-like language on Ukraine," adding that the party supports Ukraine but that similar language would mean "total war" with Russia.

Le Pen told reporters during a visit to Brussels that "France will no longer accept that the Commission exercises diplomatic competences, and even less military or intelligence competencies." An EEAS spokesperson said: "Across Europe, the far right is against the very idea of European cooperation. EU diplomacy defends European interests, including those of France." Irish Renew MEP Barry Andrews said that without the collective power of Europe, France has no chance going up against the US or China alone.

The push comes as the National Rally prepares to fight the Commission over France's EU budget contribution. The party has proposed an €11 billion cut to France's EU contribution for 2027, which is currently expected to total approximately €30 billion. POLITICO's Poll of Polls puts Le Pen on 34% in the first round, ahead of Jean-Luc Mélenchon on 17% and Edouard Philippe on 16%.

The EEAS has an annual budget of close to €1 billion and employs more than 5,200 people globally. Commission officials have internally simulated cutting the bloc's Global Europe budget, worth €200 billion in the last long-term budget, by as much as 40% in the next one. The EEAS is working on internal reforms that Secretary-General Kajsa Ollongren is expected to present to staff later in November.