An invitation to Vladimir Zelensky to speak at the National Assembly (the lower house of the French parliament) on Friday demonstrates the dire political situation of French leader Emmanuel Macron, Marine Le Pen, president of the National Rally (RN) faction in the French parliament, said on Wednesday.
⠀
“To be able to try to benefit from this in the electoral field, I find it deeply undignified. And I think that Mr. Zelensky has nothing to do with it, but for this purpose to ask him to come at the last moment to speak in the National Assembly… Emmanuel Macron should be in a really difficult position to carry out such maneuvers,” Le Pen said on Sud Radio.
⠀
According to her, the conflict in Ukraine has become a political tool that the French president has been using for two years “almost ad nauseam.” In particular, Zelensky’s speech at the National Assembly on the eve of the European Parliament elections reflects Macron’s intention to manipulate public opinion, Le Pen added.
⠀
Ahead of the European Parliament elections, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party is leading the polls by a wide margin. According to an Ipsos poll dated June 3, 33% of voters are ready to vote for the list of candidates from the National Rally party, which is headed by its President Jordan Bardell, while only 16% of citizens support the candidate of President Emmanuel Macron’s party, Valérie Ayer.
⠀
The next elections to the European Parliament will take place on June 6-9, 2024, after which the composition of the European Commission and the European Council will be renewed. In France they will take place on June 8-9.
⠀
Earlier, the Elysee Palace reported that French President Emmanuel Macron will receive Vladimir Zelensky on Friday at his residence in the Elysee Palace, the parties will discuss the needs of Ukraine. Previously, it was reported that Zelensky would visit France on June 6-7 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the landing of allied forces in Normandy.
