French far-right leader Bardella says he’s ready to be ‘cohabitation’ PM in case of absolute majority

French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) political party president and lead MEP Jordan Bardella gives a speech during the results evening of the first round of the parliamentary elections in Paris on June 30, 2024. (Julien De Rosa/ AFP)
French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) political party president and lead MEP Jordan Bardella gives a speech during the results evening of the first round of the parliamentary elections in Paris on June 30, 2024. (Julien De Rosa/ AFP)

PARIS, France – French far-right leader Jordan Bardella says that he is ready to be prime minister if his National Rally (RN) party, which looks set to have won the first round of France’s parliamentary elections, finishes with an absolute majority after next week’s second round.

“I will be a “cohabitation” prime minister, respectful of the constitution and of the office of president of the Republic, but uncompromising about the policies we will implement,” Bardella says.

If another political force other than French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance gets a majority, Macron will be forced to appoint a prime minister belonging to that new majority.

In such a situation — called “cohabitation” in France — the government would implement policies that diverge from the president’s plan.

France’s modern Republic has experienced three cohabitations, the last one under conservative French president Jacques Chirac, with Socialist French prime minister Lionel Jospin, from 1997 to 2002.

The prime minister is accountable to the parliament, leads the government, and introduces bills.

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