Sarkozy rules out forming alliance with the far-right National Front
Nicolas Sarkozy ruled out forming an alliance with Marine Le Pen’s National Front on Wednesday after the far-right leader’s record result in the presidential elections.
The electoral race was stirred up after 18 per cent of voters backed her antiimmigrant and anti-europe platform — the highest ever for a far-right French candidate.
Sarkozy, who came second to Francois Hollande in Sunday’s poll, had already targeted FN voters in his campaign. But he went further than perhaps any mainstream right leader in reaching out to Le Pen and her electorate on Tuesday by saying she was “compatible with the Republic.”
Wednesday, Sarkozy drew the line at forming alliances with the FN in forthcoming legislative elections in which the far-right could be kingmaker in more than 350 constituencies. Marion Le Pen, 22, the niece of Le Pen and granddaughter of Jean-marie Le Pen, the FN founder, is to run for a seat.
“We need to speak to the 18 per cent who voted for Marine Le Pen,” Sarkozy said. “But I don’t want ministers from the National Front. I’ve never wanted that. The 18 per cent who voted National Front don’t belong to me, but it’s my duty to address them.”
Sarkozy needs around three-quarters of the farright vote to stand a chance of victory in the May 6 runoff after losing 27.2 per cent to 28.6 per cent to Hollande in the first round. A poll out Wednesday suggested he stands to lose by 10 points.