POLITICO has previously reported that the far-right party is internally divided over Russia, Ukraine and NATO.
Jordan Bardella, the National Rally president and a member of the European Parliament, leads the more pro-European wing of the party. Le Pen’s own views have been more pro-Russia; she has met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past and her party took a €9.4 million loan from a Czech-Russian bank with links to the Kremlin, since repaid.
Bardella and Le Pen also differ on NATO, although both would break with French President Emmanuel Macron’s strong support for the alliance. Bardella wants to wait for the Ukraine war to end to pull France out of NATO’s integrated command, while Le Pen pledged to do so in the next five years regardless of what’s happening in the conflict.
The National Rally will release its campaign platform before the end of the year, potentially clarifying its positions on Ukraine and Russia.
The spat among Philippe, Attal and Le Pen also shows that center-right parties are trying to paint the National Rally as Putin allies in a bid to damage her electoral prospects.
“Did you think the [National Rally] had changed its stance on Ukraine? You were naive. The masks are coming off, and Marine Le Pen’s support for Vladimir Putin remains what it has always been: unwavering,” said MEP Nathalie Loiseau, a Philippe ally.
Sarah Paillou contributed to this report.