Lisbon (AFP)
Marine Le Pen is coming to Lisbon this weekend to support the small populist Portuguese presidential candidate André Ventura, the opportunity to highlight his own candidacy in France, eclipsed by the health crisis and the virulence of the right.
The president of the National Rally is to hold a press conference with the leader of the anti-system Chega party on Friday before sharing a dinner with some activists on Saturday.
Although the outgoing right-wing president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is the big favorite in the January 24 presidential election, André Ventura hopes to continue his breakthrough.
His election to Parliament in October 2019 (1.3% of the vote) marked the return of the far right to the Portuguese Parliament, for the first time since the fall of the dictatorship in 1974. He is credited for the presidential election with 8% voices.
This trip will carry a European message, as Portugal has just taken the rotating presidency of the European Union and the RN has abandoned the idea of leaving the EU (Frexit) as much as the euro, like Chega.
The two parties are both campaigning against the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, associated with an "organized plan of submersion" by "settlement immigration", according to the RN.
It is about "keeping the alliance of our national parties alive and bringing the Europe of nations to life" that the RN now calls for, explains Nicolas Bay, vice-president of the Identity and Democracy (ID) group. in the European Parliament and architect of rapprochement.
- Leadership -
By rallying Chega, Marine Le Pen also asserts its leadership in Europe, which is disputed to it from the Europeans by Matteo Salvini's Italian League.
"It is in its role as a driving force in the Europe of nations," said its adviser, MEP Philippe Olivier.
The far-right leader also throws a small bridge in the direction of Viktor Orban's Fidesz, who is on the same "national conservative" line as Chega but does not wish to join ID, and whose close advisor is the Portuguese Mario David, former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and friend of Mr. Ventura.
The RN thus endows itself with a “promising” ally according to Mr. Olivier, and also “presentable” because it comes from the right, explains political scientist Jean-Yves Camus.
Even if the former sports commentator is used to projections à la Trump, against the Roma or recently a black MP.
The deputy caused an uproar in January 2020 by proposing that a black colleague, who offered to return works of art to former colonies, be "returned to her country of origin" in West Africa.
The intemperance of the Portuguese, which contrasts with the more measured tone now borrowed by Marine Le Pen to appear credible, does not bother the RN.
"We do not share everything that Mr. Ventura says but we leave him the freedom to say it", slips Mr. Olivier.
- "Manager" -
By going to Portugal, Marine Le Pen is also addressing the Portuguese community in France, which in 2011 represented about 1.5 million people and "will not be insensitive" to this trip, hopes Mr. Olivier.
This merger allows Marine Le Pen to display an alliance, while in France it is struggling to find partners.
It recently welcomed dissidents from Debout la France, chaired by Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, with open arms, without succeeding in rallying its former ally in 2017, who this time chose to go it alone.
He also brings a semblance of dynamism to his presidential campaign in France where, 15 months from the deadline, she is struggling to be heard, as the right is virulent on its favorite themes, Islamism, insecurity and immigration.
Health restrictions, which complicate political campaigns, also weigh heavily.
But the party also gives "the impression of being sterilized", without debate or internal production, believes Jean-Yves Camus, while the economic consequences of the crisis could fuel the votes in its favor.
Marine Le Pen "gives the impression of being a manager of a company that does not want to increase its electoral" market shares, according to the expert.
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