Macron Convenes Party Leaders Amidst Ukraine Crisis, Ecologist Leader Expresses Disdain
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host a meeting at the Élysée Palace with the leaders of various political parties to discuss the escalating situation in Ukraine. Among those invited is Marine Tondelier, the National Secretary of the Ecologist party. However, Tondelier has expressed deep reservations about the presence of Louis Aliot, the First Vice President of the far-right National Rally (RN) party.
Tondelier’s Reservations
Tondelier has publicly stated her discomfort with sharing a table with Aliot, citing the RN’s alleged ties to authoritarian leaders and its history of aligning itself with Russia and the United States.
"I don’t want to discuss this topic with him," Tondelier said in an interview with BFMTV. She highlighted Aliot’s attendance at former US President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017 as an example of the RN’s questionable affiliations.
Allegations of Russian and American Support
Tondelier accused the RN of being "bargain-basement patriots who give lessons in patriotism all week but are in France the representatives of Putin and Trump." She cited reports of financial support from Putin and diplomatic visits by RN members to Russia and the US as evidence of these connections.
"These are their objective allies on our national territory," Tondelier asserted. "And it’s with them that we’re going to discuss national security? I have my doubts… I have a problem discussing this in front of the RN."
Demand for Clarification
Tondelier intends to confront Aliot at the meeting, seeking clarifications on the RN’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. If Aliot refuses to distance himself from its alleged foreign allies, Tondelier believes the RN should be considered "enemies" in this matter.
Grave Situation
The Ecologist leader sees the President’s decision to convene party leaders as a sign of the gravity of the situation. "It’s the stability and peace of Europe that are under threat," she said, calling for firmness and support for Ukraine, emphasizing that it is "only a step" for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
National Unity
Tondelier emphasized the importance of national unity during this crisis, but expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of including the RN in the discussions.
"Gathering the different parties doesn’t bode well," she said. "It’s a question of democracy, but also a question of the image we give to our allies and to our partners."
Call for Transparency
Tondelier urged the government to be transparent about its decision-making process and to keep the public informed. "We need to have the debate in front of the French people," she said.
"The French people have a right to know what is being said and what is decided in these meetings," Tondelier concluded. "It is a matter of trust."
