Overview
- On Friday Jordan Bardella paraphé a symbolic memorandum with Nigel Farage that included a hypothetical clause on returning migrants intercepted in UK waters, a text described by outlets as purely symbolic and legally non‑binding.
- The pact triggered widespread criticism across the political spectrum and renewed questions about the RN’s consistency on Ukraine and Europe after remarks by party figures about cutting aid to Kyiv.
- Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon urged Gabriel Attal and Bruno Retailleau to rally "as soon as possible" behind Édouard Philippe to avoid splitting the centre‑right vote, but Retailleau has refused to withdraw and called on RN voters to back him.
- On the left Fabien Roussel formalized his presidential bid after a 72% internal vote, a move that keeps the left divided between PCF, LFI and the PS primary and complicates efforts to unite against the extremes.
- Ipsos/BVA polling shows Marine Le Pen well ahead in first‑round intentions (around 34–36%), a gap that François Bayrou warns could lead to a dangerous RN‑LFI second round and that is driving rapid strategic calculations across parties.