Far-right RN signs MOU with British Reform Party... Buddha pours out criticism on major presidential candidates

Far-right RN signs MOU with British Reform Party... Buddha pours out criticism on major presidential candidates

RN leader Bardella dismisses criticism, saying, “We will do our best to suppress migration when in power.”

(Brussels = Yonhap News) Correspondent Hyun Yoon-kyung = Reuters reported on the 5th (local time) that opposition is pouring in from the French political world after the populist political parties representing France and Britain agreed to return to France migrants who arrived in Britain after crossing the English Channel on small ships.

Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing British Reform Party, and Jordan Bardella, leader of the French far-right National Front (RN), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) containing these contents at the British Reform Party convention held in Birmingham, England the previous day.

According to this MOU, which will be implemented if the two political parties take power in the UK and France, migrants who cross the English Channel from France and arrive in the UK will be detained and repatriated to France, and France will send them back to their countries of origin.

Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, who is running in the French presidential election next year as the leader of the centrist political party Orison, evaluated this agreement as a 'draconian change in position' for the RN and pointed out, "I never thought I would see Bardella sign an agreement to return immigrants caught in the English Channel to France." Former Prime Minister Philippe then asked if RN's presidential candidate, lawmaker Marine Le Pen, also had the same position. Rep. Le Pen is leading the approval ratings ahead of next year's presidential election.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, leader of France's ruling Renaissance party, criticized the agreement, saying it shows that the RN is "bowing" to the interests of other countries. He claimed, “The RN’s recent history is revealing a level of incompetence and subservient attitude that is unprecedented,” and “This shows that their foreign policy is a form of complete submission to foreign powers.”

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI), said that if such an agreement actually goes into effect, “our country will become the gatekeeper of the British people,” and emphasized, “Not voting for Le Pen in next year’s presidential election is a matter of national pride.”

Raphael Glücksmann, leader of the center-left Plas Püblick, said, "This is the characteristic of the RN. They show weakness when it comes to protecting France's interests. Look at how they voted in the European Parliament. We are the true patriots."

Representative Bardella dismissed these criticisms, which came from all sides. “When we come to power, and soon Farage comes to power, we will do everything we can to curb migration, both in France and in the UK,” he said.

Representative Bardella, the 'right hand man' of Rep. Le Pen, who is running for the presidency for the fourth time, is expected to take over as prime minister if RN succeeds in taking power.