May Day, Labor Day, is also a traditional day on the National Rally's political calendar. Each year a meeting is held to celebrate Joan of Arc. But, coronavirus forces, rallies are prohibited, activists confined. It is therefore a somewhat special May 1 that the far-right party is about to experience: no wreaths or parades but a long online speech by the party leader, Marine Le Pen, carrying on the criticism of the action of the government, of the European Union, and a call for the closing of the borders.
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Speech on YouTube, Q&A on Facebook
Undoubtedly, on the bottom, this May 1st will look like the others for Marine Le Pen. But on the form, no big meeting this year. After the traditional wreath laying in front of the Parisian statue of Joan of Arc, the president of the RN will deliver a speech, shorter than usual, on Facebook and YouTube.
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"It is difficult not to be among our activists, but necessity makes the law," says Marine Le Pen, who talks a lot on Facebook with his supporters. Skilfully organized live questions and answers, where she curdles the government, before showing her new kittens or advising on gardening. Each video is viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
Jean-Marie Le Pen pays homage to Joan of Arc
As for Jean Marie Le Pen, he too will celebrate Joan of Arc, for his part, via a video shot at his home. The patriarch gave up going to the Place des Pyramides, for fear of a gathering of sympathizers.