Éric Ciotti Endorses Marine Le Pen Amid Controversy Over RN’s Immigration Deal with Reform UK

As the 2027 French presidential campaign intensifies, notable political endorsements and controversies have emerged surrounding Marine Le Pen and her party, the Rassemblement National (RN). Éric Ciotti, a prominent political figure, officially declared his support for Marine Le Pen, emphasizing that “France needs her victory.” This backing arrives amid heated debates over the RN’s policies and alliances, particularly an immigration agreement with the British populist party Reform UK.

The controversial deal proposed by the RN and Reform UK would enable the return of asylum seekers arriving in the UK by sea, a move that has sparked sharp criticism from several presidential candidates. Édouard Philippe of Horizons expressed surprise at what he termed a “turnaround” by the RN and questioned Marine Le Pen's stance on the matter. Gabriel Attal, leader of Renaissance, denounced the RN’s submission to foreign influence as unprecedented unpreparedness. La France Insoumise’s Jean-Luc Mélenchon condemned the agreement as a national indignity, warning it would turn France into a barrier for the UK. Raphaël Glucksmann of Place Publique also criticized the RN for failing to defend France’s interests, accusing them of acting in favor of Russian interests.

In defense, RN leader Jordan Bardella acknowledged the criticism but stood by the agreement, stating it is a necessary response to the ongoing immigration crisis. He also dismissed rumors of discord within the RN, promising that if the party wins the presidency, immigration reduction will be a priority.

The immigration issue remains central to the far-right’s platform and the broader 2027 election discourse. Despite the overall decrease in asylum seekers reaching the UK, over 16,000 arrived via small boats in 2023. Both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently increased border security measures to curb illegal crossings.

This political crossroads highlights the tensions within France’s electoral landscape as candidates navigate complex alliances and national identity debates. Meanwhile, incidents such as Olivier Faure’s controversial remarks and Marine Tondelier’s critical stance toward the RN continue to shape the discourse around the party’s true nature and its implications for France.