U.S. officials who met leaders of France ‘s far-right National Rally were underwhelmed by their economic plans, two diplomatic sources said, in a blow to the party’s efforts to present itself as a credible steward of the euro zone’s No. 2 economy before next year’s election.
The National Rally, the far-right party, has become France ‘s largest parliamentary party – and a potential victor in 2027 – by coupling a hardline stance on immigration with populist pledges to defend jobs and purchasing power. But its longstanding rhetoric around state interventionism and protectionist policies worries French blue-chips and investors.
U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner and his team have met with most of the likely presidential contenders from across France’s political spectrum, including National Rally (RN) party chiefs Marine Le Pen and 30-year-old protege Jordan Bardella.
While they were not particularly swayed by any of the candidates they met, the RN’s views on how to cut a yawning deficit, win U.S. investment and get the economy moving were a concern, the sources said.
Reuters granted the sources anonymity to allow them to speak frankly about private discussions.
Their conclusion echoed concerns among many in France’s business elite about whether the RN has the experience or expertise to steer the highly indebted $3.5 trillion economy back to robust growth and steady the country’s public finances.
The RN did not respond to a request for comment on the U.S. officials’ view. A senior aide to Bardella said the party was working to develop its economic programme, including politically sensitive structural reforms to France’s costly pension system.
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on “private diplomatic exchanges”.
Election Headache
Doubts over the RN’s economic programme may pose an electoral hurdle in France and shape U.S. thinking on whether to vocally support the RN in 2027, when polls suggest it could win.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has backed ideological allies in Europe, but with mixed results. A U.S. push to help Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban win re-election backfired when he lost power after 16 years on Sunday.
One of the diplomatic sources said there were no signs RN leaders were seeking U.S. support, and European far-right and populist parties that once cheered Trump are increasingly wary of being seen as too close.
France’s economy is mired in a morass of feeble growth, high borrowing costs and a debt burden that is one of Europe’s heftiest at 115.6% of GDP.
The RN says its economic priorities include boosting household purchasing power through tax cuts, reducing public spending and France’s EU budget contribution, and restructuring welfare to prioritise French citizens.
But detailed plans have yet to emerge. Critics say the party lacks a coherent economic manifesto.
(with inputs from Reuters)
