The president of the National Front will celebrate Labor Day in Nice on May 1st. She will be accompanied by her European far-right allies, all of whom belong to the Europe of Nations and Freedom Movement. Among them are the Flemish Belgian party Vlaams Belang, the Italian Northern League, the Austrian FPÖ, the Czech SPD party, and the Polish Nowa Prawica party.
This gathering, beyond the symbolism of bringing together what could be called the “right-wing international,” a sort of transnational sovereignist and anti-European movement, with some parties being part of the governing coalitions in their countries, should it be interpreted as a symbolic gesture or a political one? Or both at the same time?
In a city where the heart beats strongly to the right, and which experiences difficulty due to the separation between a social-liberal and Macron-compatible right represented by Christian Estrosi and the radical-reactionary wing of his new rival Eric Ciotti, the upcoming municipal election will be an opportunity for upheaval that could challenge consolidated balances.
Being the third actor in the “deadly” duel poised between the two rivals could be a temptation for a party that needs to find itself back in the leading roles before the 2022 presidential election.
Nice could be the ideal stage for a leading candidate from the party (a return of Marion Le Pen to active politics?) or the option to influence the outcome, playing on voter synergy that may override party positioning.
Recent elections in European countries show voter volatility that can lead to outcomes far from predictions.
So, will Marine Le Pen come to Nice for a pleasant walk and meet-and-greet or to “assess” the situation?
It is known that scouts are already in action to explore and prepare the ground…
