Marine promises EU trial of strength if elected French president amid budget fight

Le Pen warns of EU showdown

Marine Le Pen, France’s far-right leader, said she would challenge the EU over its finances if she wins next year’s presidential election. She described the Commission’s budget plans as deeply objectionable in an interview with the Financial Times.

Le Pen said reducing France’s budget contribution would be difficult, but insisted she was prepared for a hard negotiation. She said the Commission’s actions showed contempt for democratic processes in Europe.

Dispute over long-term budget

The EU Commission has proposed a budget of nearly €2 trillion for 2028-2034, compared with about €1.2 trillion for 2021-2027. Brussels wants an agreement by Christmas. Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden are seeking cuts of several hundred billion euros. France has opposed those calls, while President Emmanuel Macron has argued for an ambitious EU budget.

Election landscape takes shape

French polling currently suggests a possible run-off between Le Pen and hard-left rival Jean-Luc Melenchon, reflecting growing political polarisation as Macron’s era ends. Le Pen has recently polled around 33 to 37 per cent.

She has said that France’s enormous debt would be her main constraint on economic policy, while maintaining that she would not abandon her convictions. Le Pen also called next year’s elections in Spain, Italy and Poland an extraordinary event that could usher in a radical new era for Europe.

Campaign follows court ruling

Le Pen launched her presidential campaign in western France in July. The launch came a day after an appeals court upheld her conviction for embezzling EU funds. The court ruling nevertheless allowed her to stand for office.