For years, Marine Le Pen’s ties with Vladimir Putin’s Russia have been one of the most embarrassing issues for the National Rally.
In particular, Marine Le Pen visited the Kremlin in March 2017 to meet Vladimir Putin. The party had also taken out a loan from a Russian bank in 2014. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the RN has significantly altered its stance and condemned the Russian invasion. But its history with Moscow continues to be regularly highlighted by its opponents. (Le Monde.fr)
With Donald Trump, the story is different, but the unease remains.
A section of the RN has long viewed Trumpism with interest: national sovereignty, immigration, and criticism of elites and supranational institutions are all issues on which there are points of convergence. Jordan Bardella himself has expressed admiration for Trump’s political energy, whilst several party leaders have maintained links with the MAGA movement.
But here too, the situation has become more complicated. Faced with US decisions likely to directly harm European interests, the RN has gradually toughened its stance towards Washington and now disputes the notion that it was ever a party aligned with Trump. (Le Monde.fr)
And then reality set in
This is where Alain Callède’s criticism becomes interesting.
Russia is continuing its war against Ukraine. For their part, the United States is embroiled in the conflict with Iran. These two crises are now contributing to a major disruption of global energy markets.
By September 2026, the consequences are very real. Tensions linked to the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine have severely disrupted supplies and refining. Global diesel stocks are particularly low and prices have reached exceptionally high levels. (Reuters)
Brent crude is now trading at around $100 a barrel, in a market that is extremely sensitive to the slightest diplomatic development between Washington and Tehran. (Reuters)
And these are, of course, not just figures on traders’ screens.
Diesel powers lorries, farm machinery and parts of industry. When its price rises sharply, the cost of transporting goods increases. Part of this rise then ends up being passed on to consumers.
In other words, major geopolitical decisions taken in Washington, Moscow or Tehran can end up, a few weeks or months later, affecting the wallet of a French motorist.
The pitfall of foreign political models
This raises a question that goes far beyond the National Rally alone.
What happens when a French party takes its cue from a foreign leader whose policies ultimately conflict with French economic or strategic interests?
The RN now finds itself facing this dilemma with both Trump and Putin.
The party claims to have evolved. Its leaders stress that they condemn the invasion of Ukraine and now reject the idea of aligning themselves with either Washington or Moscow. Its opponents retort that this distancing comes after years of closeness or admiration.
Both points must be borne in mind to understand the debate.
No need to insult voters
Then there is Alain Callède’s final remark: ‘Who’s got shit in their eyes? National Rally voters.’
It packs a punch.
But it perhaps sidesteps the most interesting question.
National Rally voters may well be fully aware of these contradictions and still vote for the party for other reasons: immigration, security, purchasing power, a rejection of traditional parties or a desire for a change of government. Others, on the contrary, may consider that the RN’s past ties with Moscow or its affinity for Trumpism constitute a major problem.
It is precisely up to them to decide.
Because ultimately, the interesting question is not whether millions of voters ‘have blinders on’.
It is about presenting them with the facts.
