In a blistering address that has sent shockwaves through French politics, President Emmanuel Macron has compared the National Rally party to Vichy regime collaborators who aided Nazi Germany during World War II.
The French leader didn't mince words during his speech in Paris, stating: "They wrote the worst pages of our history. Today, some want to rewrite history by pretending to forget this." While not naming National Rally directly, his target was unmistakable.
Political Firestorm Erupts
Macron's inflammatory comments come at a critical juncture, with European Parliament elections looming and National Rally currently leading in French opinion polls. The far-right party, formerly known as National Front under Marine Le Pen's father Jean-Marie Le Pen, has long battled accusations of antisemitism and historical revisionism.
Historical Parallels Drawn
The President drew explicit parallels between current National Rally rhetoric and the ideology of Philippe Pétain's Vichy government, which collaborated with Nazi occupiers and participated in the deportation of French Jews to concentration camps.
"When our elders resisted, others chose the disgrace of collaboration," Macron declared, adding that contemporary far-right discourse "resurrects this ideology of defeat."
National Rally Fires Back
Party leaders swiftly condemned Macron's remarks as desperate political maneuvering. National Rally president Jordan Bardella accused Macron of "historical revisionism" and "using the most painful pages of our history for electoral purposes."
The war of words intensifies as France prepares for European elections that could significantly shift the continent's political landscape. With National Rally polling at around 30% support in France - nearly double Macron's Renaissance party - the stakes couldn't be higher.
Analysis: A Calculated Risk
Political analysts suggest Macron's provocative language represents a high-risk strategy to mobilize centrist and left-wing voters against the far-right threat. However, some warn it could backfire by further energizing National Rally's base.
As the campaign season heats up, Macron appears determined to frame the election as a fundamental choice between democratic values and what he views as dangerous nationalist populism echoing Europe's darkest hours.
