French presidential candidates criticise Reform UK-National Rally migration pact

Paris, France. A proposed agreement between Britain’s Reform UK and France’s National Rally to return asylum seekers arriving in Britain by small boats to France has drawn criticism from several French presidential election candidates.

The memorandum of understanding, signed on Friday by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and National Rally leader Jordan Bardella, is intended to take effect if both parties win power.

Criticism from candidates

Edouard Philippe, a former prime minister and the conservative Horizons party candidate for the 2027 presidential election, described the pact as a “U-turn” by the National Rally.

“Seeing Jordan Bardella sign an agreement that provides for sending back to France migrants intercepted in the Channel, that one we didn’t see coming,” Philippe said. He questioned whether National Rally presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was “on the same page” as Bardella.

Gabriel Attal, a former prime minister and leader of the centre-right Renaissance party, said the agreement demonstrated the National Rally’s “submission” to foreign interests.

“We are reaching levels of unpreparedness and submission that are almost never seen in the recent history of the National Rally. This shows their foreign policy is one of great submission to other powers,” Attal said.

Other opposition reactions

Jean-Luc Melenchon, the far-left leader and presidential candidate, said on X that France would become “the gatekeeper of the English” if the agreement were implemented.

“Not voting for Le Pen in 2027 becomes a matter of national dignity,” he said.

Raphaël Glucksmann, the centre-left Place Publique candidate, told BFM TV that the agreement reflected weakness in defending French interests.

“That’s the hallmark of the National Rally: weakness when it comes to defending France’s interests. Look at their votes in the European Parliament… We are the true patriots,” Glucksmann said.

Bardella defends agreement

Bardella rejected the criticism and welcomed the agreement with Reform UK.

“If tomorrow we are in power, and Nigel Farage is as well, we will do everything in our power to curb immigration both in France and in England,” he said.