France’s far-right Marine Le Pen threatens to bring down government over planned budget
Le Pen, on trial for embezzlement, is demanding a freeze on electricity taxes and higher pensions, putting pressure on the minority government to negotiate
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said on Monday that she could bring down France’s minority government by the end of the year unless changes are made to the country’s budget bill.
Le Pen made her remarks after a meeting with conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier over next year’s budget and other issues. Barnier was to meet with other political leaders from the left and the centre later in the day.
Le Pen said lawmakers from her National Rally party, including herself, would bring a confidence motion if the bill now being debated in parliament “stays as it is.”
Le Pen said she expressed “red lines,” including a refusal to raise electricity taxes and the need to increase state pensions from January.
Barnier’s Cabinet is forced to rely on the far-right’s good will to be able to stay in power. The budget bill for next year must be passed by December 21.
“We said what were the non-negotiable elements for us,” Le Pen said. “We are straight in our political approach. We defend the French people.”
