Overview

The Rassemblement National (RN), known in English as the National Rally, is a French far-right political party. It was called the Front national from 1972 to 2018. The party is described as right-wing populist and nationalist.

Founding and development

The party was founded in 1972 by Ordre Nouveau and notably by Jean-Marie Le Pen. Its early founders included former Waffen-SS volunteers, neo-Nazi sympathizers and supporters nostalgic for French Algeria. Jean-Marie Le Pen led the party until his resignation in 2011. The party’s influence was marginal until 1984, but it later grew as a nationalist electoral force and has put forward a candidate at every presidential election but one since 1974.

Parliamentary role and positions

Since the 2022 legislative election, the RN has been represented by a parliamentary group in the National Assembly chaired by Marine Le Pen. It has been the largest single opposition party in the lower house since 2022. The party opposes immigration and advocates significant cuts to legal immigration, protection of French identity and stricter control of illegal immigration.

Current relevance

During recent French street protests, the RN rejected the protesters and their message and praised the conduct of security forces. Marine Le Pen, who will be the RN’s candidate in the upcoming presidential election, has called for strengthened anti-riot legislation and has focused on restoring order on the streets.