France's Marine Le Pen on election footing as new government takes power

Ministers in Emmanuel Macron's fourth government of 2024 take the reins with an uncertain future

Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally party, holds the new government at her mercy due to its lack of a parliamentary majority. Bloomberg

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Tuesday warned France's new government its days are numbered as she predicted an early election that could give her a shot at power.

After a turbulent year, ministers in France's fourth government of 2024 assumed power on Tuesday with a vow to steady the financial ship and address bread-and-butter domestic issues. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said he plans to go after drug traffickers and "Islamic separatism" in his new role.

Lacking a majority in the National Assembly, the government led by veteran centrist Francois Bayrou takes office with no clear path to resolving a political stalemate. Ms Le Pen's National Rally party used a no-confidence vote to bring down Mr Bayrou's predecessor, Michel Barnier, who had proposed €60 billion ($62.4 billion) in budget cuts.

In a message on Tuesday, Ms Le Pen said France's "moment of temporary political fluctuation ... will come to an end as soon as the people, through their sovereign will and collective intelligence, decide to do so". She said the French would then "choose a new path to follow, that of revival and recovery".

She said that moment would come "as soon as the institutions allow it ... very soon, in a few months at most". After defeats by ever narrower margins in the 2012, 2017 and 2022 elections, Ms Le Pen is viewed as having her best shot at the Elysee Palace when France next elects a president.

Emmanuel Macron's term as French President runs until 2027 but Marine Le Pen wants him to exit the stage earlier. AFP

Mr Bayrou consulted Ms Le Pen when forming his government but there is no certainty he will avoid a no-confidence vote himself. Finance Minister Eric Lombard is expected to scale back some of the proposed budget cuts but made clear on Tuesday that he, too, sees cutting the deficit as a priority.

"The political situation is difficult,” said Mr Lombard. "The international situation is dangerous and the economic context is fragile. The environmental emergency, the social emergency, developing our businesses – these innumerable challenges require us to treat our endemic illness, the deficit."

Deadlock has prevailed since French President Emmanuel Macron called a surprise parliamentary election in July, a gamble which failed to pay off as voters elected a National Assembly fractured between left, right and centrist camps. Left-wing groups had hoped for more influence in the new Cabinet and say the promised spending cuts will hurt French workers.

Mr Macron's term runs until 2027 but some analysts believe Ms Le Pen wants to force him to resign quickly and trigger a snap presidential election. One consideration could be a looming court verdict in a corruption case against Ms Le Pen, in which prosecutors are seeking a five-year ban from public office – which she might avoid with presidential immunity.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin was among the new French Cabinet members taking up their roles in Paris on Tuesday. AFP

Ms Le Pen wants a tougher immigration policy from the new government but Mr Bayrou indicated he will focus on implementing existing rules. "There are plenty of laws that exist. None are being applied," he told broadcasters on Monday, to criticism from conservatives.

At the justice ministry, Mr Darmanin said he would give "clear and firm" instructions to prosecutors to take on violent criminals and extremists. His targets include "Islamic separatism and types of violent extremism who want to attack our democracy and our republic", as well as drug trafficking and what he called "narco-banditry".

Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu wants to step up France's weapons production as Europe braces for the return of Donald Trump. Mr Macron also wants an emergency law passed early next month to speed up reconstruction of the cyclone-ravaged French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.