France’s far-right leader Le Pen questions Macron’s role as army chief

Marine Le Pen said it is the PM, not the president, who ‘pulls the strings’ when it comes to military decision making.

With just three days to go until France’s landmark legislative elections, the country’s far-right leader has raised the uncomfortable issue of who would be in charge of the military if her party takes over the government after the two-round ballot.

The early elections are plunging France into uncharted territory, and political scientists are scrambling to interpret how exactly President Emmanuel Macron and a prime minister who is hostile to most of his policies would share power if Marine Le Pen’s National Rally wins the majority in the National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament.

Le Pen has repeatedly said that Jordan Bardella, her protegee and her party’s star leader, would lead France’s next government if their increasingly popular party wins.

In an interview, she suggested that Bardella, at just 28 and with no governing experience, would also take over at least some decisions on France’s defence and armed forces.

Macron has three years to serve out his final term as president.