National Rally

The French National Rally, known in French as Rassemblement National (RN), is a right-wing political party in France. Originally founded in 1972 as the National Front (Front National), the party underwent significant rebranding in 2018, adopting its current name in an effort to soften its image and broaden its appeal. The National Rally has been associated with nationalism, anti-immigration policies, and Euroscepticism, advocating for France's sovereignty against what it perceives as the encroaching powers of the European Union.

The party's values are deeply rooted in the…   promotion of French identity and culture, which it believes are threatened by immigration and globalization. It argues for strict controls on immigration, proposing measures to significantly reduce the number of immigrants entering France, and has been critical of Islam in the context of French society, linking it to security concerns and social integration challenges. The National Rally also champions law and order policies, positioning itself as a defender of personal safety and national security against terrorism and crime.

Economically, the National Rally has shifted towards protectionist policies, advocating for the protection of French jobs and industries from global competition. It supports welfare programs for French citizens and has proposed leaving the eurozone to regain control over national monetary policy, reflecting its broader skepticism of supranational institutions and support for national sovereignty.

The party's stance on the European Union is characterized by a critical view of European integration. While it has moderated its position from advocating for a complete exit from the EU to proposing a radical reform of the Union, the National Rally remains Eurosceptic, arguing that the EU undermines France's autonomy.

Under the leadership of Marine Le Pen, daughter of the party's founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, the National Rally has sought to distance itself from the more extreme elements of its past, including overt racism and anti-Semitism. This rebranding effort has been part of a broader strategy to make the party more palatable to the mainstream electorate, although critics argue that its core ideologies remain unchanged.

In summary, the French National Rally is a party that champions national sovereignty, strict immigration control, and law and order, with a critical stance on the European Union and globalization. Its values reflect a blend of nationalism, protectionism, and social conservatism, aimed at preserving French identity and independence in a rapidly changing world.