The French far right
protests that started in November 2018 in response to an increase in tax on gasoline and diesel aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions, shows the discontent amongst the French towards climate policies. Additionally, in summer 2023, many farmers gathered at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to protest new EU rules which hoped to restore natural areas and cut emissions. This discontent towards environmentalist policies highlights the huge audience and traction the RN have, illustrating their threat to EU climate policies (Campanella and Lawrence 2024). In conclusion, I believe that the rise of the French far-right in the form of the Rassemblement National presents significant challenges and threats to European stability and unity, particularly if they gain power in future elections. Their anti-immigratio n stance undermines the EU’s Schengen agreement on free movement, while the RN’s friendly relationship with the Kremlin weakens Europe’s collective response to Russia. Furthermore, the RN’s economic policies would place even more pressure on France’s public finances, diminishing France’s global influence , while their climate scepticism could lead to a scale back in EU’s climate policies.
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