Marine Le Pen points out "the country's deterioration" and finds "no excuses" for Bruno Retailleau

"We could have expected a real direction, strong actions. There are only words. And words don't stop thugs or criminals. If we don't stop them, if we don't expel them if necessary, if we don't stop welcoming them onto our soil, they won't stop," the far-right leader continues. The Minister of the Interior, who became president of the Republicans two weeks ago, is enjoying a string of good popularity polls: in an Elabe barometer for Les Échos published Thursday, he ranks 4th with 33% of those surveyed having a positive image of him, just behind Jordan Bardella (35%) and Marine Le Pen (34%).

The latter nevertheless asserts that she does not fear Bruno Retailleau, saying she has "too much faith in the intelligence of the French to fear him." "Our compatriots will see that his results are not up to expectations, and that his decisions do not respond to the urgency of the situation," she adds, believing that "the French people are afraid and they are right," because of "insecurity and violence (which) are increasing exponentially, like immigration."

The unsuccessful three-time presidential candidate has again pointed to the "political responsibility" of the tenant of Beauvau and the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, following the violence that marred the popular celebrations following PSG's victory last week in the Champions League final.