Following her initial support for the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran at the outset of the conflict, Le Pen last week criticized Trump for his “erratic war goals” and the “mistake” of targeting Iran, as stated in her interview with France Inter radio.
Trump had reached out to Le Pen and the National Rally upon beginning his second term in January 2025. However, the party has increasingly viewed Washington’s support as detrimental to its prospects in France, where Trump is widely unpopular.
Le Pen’s senior advisors have recently criticized the French government for prioritizing oil tax revenues over consumer interests and failing to protect the public sufficiently.
Jean-Philippe Tanguy held a press conference on Tuesday to emphasize the National Rally’s policy proposals, which include energy tax reductions and temporary margin controls to prevent oil industry players from benefiting unduly from such tax cuts.
Tanguy also condemned the French government for using part of the country’s strategic oil reserves to bypass a supply shortage, a move coordinated with other G7 countries. He argued that these reserves are managed to benefit oil companies.
The party’s advocacy for energy tax cuts and market control aligns with its longstanding support for the working class. However, the financial implications of its proposals and its criticisms of oil companies could undermine its economic credentials, crucial for attracting centrist voters in the 2027 presidential election.
Tanguy’s initiative follows Marine Le Pen’s recent accusation that the government is “profiteering in a crisis” with its higher tax revenues due to rising oil prices. The government has opposed tax cuts, arguing they would worsen France’s significant budget deficit, which is estimated to exceed 2026 revenues by around 5 percent of GDP.
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