French elections: Le Pen threatens challenge to Macron's army powers

The far-right ex-leader warns the French president will not be able to send troops to Ukraine.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUK General ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessFuture of BusinessTechnology of BusinessWork CultureInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersLe Pen threatens to challenge Macron's army powers3 hours agoBy Paul Kirby, BBC News in ParisShareDENIS CHARLET/AFPMarine Le Pen wants Jordan Bardella to be France's next prime ministerThe leader of France's far-right National Rally, Marine Le Pen, has warned that President Emmanuel Macron will not be able to send troops to Ukraine as army chief if her party forms the next government.

"Armed forces chief, for the president, is an honorary title as it's the prime minister who controls the purse strings," National Rally's leader in parliament said in a newspaper interview.

France votes on Sunday in the first of two rounds of snap parliamentary elections.

Latest opinion polls suggest National Rally could win a potential 36% of the vote, although it may fall short of the absolute majority it needs to control parliament.

As president, Mr Macron is commander in chief and traditionally plays a key role in his country's international and defence policy.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce7812ej0k1o

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