Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party in France, has not yet scheduled a meeting with Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party in Britain, in Paris. Farage, who recently spoke about his trip to France as part of a tour of right-wing leaders, is currently awaiting confirmation for this meeting.
Uncertainty of Meeting Date
Four officials familiar with Le Pen's schedule, who have not been named due to the sensitivity of party relations, stated that no date has been set for Farage's meeting with Le Pen. Meanwhile, some officials from the National Rally party believe there is no need to refocus on relations with the Reform Party or the immigration agreement signed in September.
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Domestic and Foreign Challenges
Le Pen, who is considered one of the main candidates for the French presidential election in 2027, is in a position where the political and social conditions in France and Britain are rapidly changing. At the Reform Party conference held in Birmingham in early September, Jordan Bardella, Le Pen's deputy, signed an agreement with Farage to return illegal migrants to France, which subsequently faced significant criticism.
This agreement was met with a strong backlash from French politicians, as many criticized why France was accepting refugees. Meanwhile, the Reform Party is facing internal challenges and declining popularity, and it seems there is a need to focus more on the upcoming elections in Britain.
Considerations Regarding Relations
While Farage expects his meeting with Le Pen to take place soon, French nationalists have suggested that he may meet with Bardella instead of Le Pen. This comes as one of Le Pen's advisors has pointed out the pros and cons of collaborating with Farage, emphasizing that more time should be spent evaluating this matter.
Given the current situation, it seems that Farage and Le Pen need to reconsider their relationship, and this meeting may not materialize in the near future.
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