Marine Le Pen says sanctions on Russia are not working
Renewed scrutiny of the links between her party and Moscow
SANCTIONS on Russia “aren’t working”, declared Marine Le Pen (pictured) on October 4th; “moreover, they are sanctions on the French.” If winter is difficult, said the leader of France’s populist-nationalist National Rally (RN), it will “be the responsibility of those who took these decisions”. As European resolve is tested by soaring inflation and energy prices, such arguments are worrying. They also bring fresh scrutiny of the rn’s attitude—and links—to Russia.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “The €9m question”
From the November 5th 2022 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Europe
Meet Europe’s Gaullists, Atlanticists, denialists and Putinists
As Donald Trump returns, so do Europe’s old schisms over how to defend itself
Inside Europe, border checks are creeping back
Voters and politicians are worried about unauthorised migrants
The EU is worried about sensitive exports to competitors and foes
A lot of bureaucracy will ensue
A day of drama in the Bundestag
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s probable next chancellor, takes a huge bet and triggers uproar
Amid talk of a ceasefire, Ukraine’s front line is crumbling
An ominous defeat in the eastern town of Velyka Novosilka
The French government’s survival is now in Socialist hands
Moderates attempt to move away from the radicals