Marion Maréchal and the Conference of Bishops of France expressed their dissatisfaction with certain scenes from the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris. In contrast, neither Marine Le Pen nor Jordan Bardella have made any negative comments on the matter.
The controversy surrounding the opening ceremony of the Olympics
In the context of the controversy that shook a part of the right, the far right, and the Catholic Church following the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, two voices stood out for their absence: those of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. This lack of reaction contrasts with the fierce reaction of Marion Maréchal who strongly criticized certain aspects of the ceremony as soon as it was broadcast on television. Other political figures, such as members of Les Républicains or Philippe de Villiers, as well as representatives of the Catholic Church, have also expressed their discomfort with what they consider a blasphemous distortion of the Christ’s Last Supper.
However, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, although active on other subjects, have not commented on this event. According to a source close to Marine Le Pen, displays of affection between men are not a concern for the leader of the National Rally. This attitude can be interpreted as a reflection of an evolution in the party’s political positioning, especially in the framework of the de-demonization strategy implemented in recent years.
The de-demonization strategy
Marine Le Pen’s position on social issues has evolved over time, especially since the debate on same-sex marriage in 2014. While she had initially promised to abolish this law, she no longer claims this position. This evolution is part of a broader context of transforming the discourse of the National Front, especially regarding gender and sexuality issues. According to sociologist Éric Fassin, this evolution has shifted the debate from national and racial issues to gender and sexuality issues.
As for Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, his position seems more conservative on these issues. It is difficult to say whether he was invited not to react to the opening ceremony of the Olympics, but it is interesting to note that the party sought to attract an LGBT electorate during the 2022 presidential elections. In Europe, other political figures, such as Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, have also been questioned by the opening ceremony of the Olympics, highlighting the silence of the Le Pen/Bardella duo.
Article source: Francetvinfo
