Le Pen vows a “showdown” with Brussels over EU funding and powers if elected next year, including an €11 billion cut to France’s 2027 contribution

Marine Le Pen has pledged to challenge Brussels over European Union funding and authority if she wins next year’s French presidential election. In an interview with the Financial Times, she said her proposals include cutting France’s EU budget contribution by €11 billion in 2027 and returning powers to national governments, a course that could bring her into conflict with the European Commission and other member states.

Her broader five-year plan would reduce the deficit by €140 billion, with further cuts worth tens of billions of euros in subsequent years. But France cannot unilaterally reduce its EU payments without approval from the other 26 member states. Le Pen also plans to visit Brussels before the French vote to oppose the conclusion of a seven-year EU budget agreement.

She wants to weaken the European Commission, opposes its expansion into diplomacy and defense, and challenges Ursula von der Lejen’s mandate.

Le Pen’s economic agenda combines deep cuts to state spending with consumer tax reductions, protections for pensioners and measures to stimulate business activity. It also includes a controversial proposal for the European Central Bank to fund borrowing for defense and the energy transition.

Economists and financial analysts, including Ing, have questioned whether the plans are feasible and warned that rapid spending cuts could drag down GDP growth. France’s public debt stands at 119 percent of GDP.