The latest maneuver by the Macron-aligned group aims to counter the far-right’s claims of being ignored by the political system. The exclusion of National Rally lawmakers from parliamentary positions only reinforces the party’s narrative of victimhood, according to a pro-Macron MP, reports 24brussels.
Attempts to integrate far-right MPs into key roles could further dismantle the established firewall, or cordon sanitaire, used in many Western European nations and the European Parliament to exclude far-right parties from critical institutional influence, despite their increasing electoral strength.
French parliamentary conventions dictate that the distribution of leadership roles—such as vice-presidents, quaestors, and secretaries—should mirror the composition of the lower house. These positions constitute the Bureau of the National Assembly, which is responsible for managing internal order, imposing sanctions on disorderly lawmakers, and overseeing modifications to the chamber’s regulations.
Current allocations show the left holding a disproportionate number of Bureau seats relative to its electoral strength, claims a Macron-affiliated official. Presently, the majority of these roles are occupied by left-leaning legislators, while the National Rally holds no positions.
Howls of protest
Discussions regarding the National Rally’s entitlement to institutional power in parliament date back to 2022, when Macron lost his majority for the first time, coinciding with Le Pen’s party achieving a record number of seats.
That year, the far right managed to secure two of the six vice-presidential positions, facilitated by votes from centrist and conservative MPs, despite vehement objections from left-wing opposition members.
