Her increasingly protectionist stance on economic issues in recent years has allowed her to reach some voters who have traditionally backed left-wing candidates and have been angered by Emmanuel Macron’s support for business and investment. She’s hoping her current focus on social welfare will convince more of them to pick her in the final ballot of the presidential election April 24, or at the very least, abstain instead of turning up for her rival.
, a French political scientist who studies radical political groups, describes Le Pen’s program as one of “ethno-liberalism.”Le Pen has pledged to waive income tax for workers up to age 30 and exempt businesses from tax contributions if they raise salaries by 10%. She would lower inheritance taxes. The total bill would come to about 120 billion euros a year, compared to 70 billion euros estimated by Le Pen, according toLe Pen’s fiscal policies won’t be enough to fund her program, which would increase the state deficit by around 100 billion euros a year, according to Institut Montaigne.Le Pen would grant cash incentives to businesses that hire young workers. She wants stricter border controls for the circulation of goods to protect French workers from “unfair competition.
She could disrupt trade flows with her review of free trade agreements that “don’t serve France’s interests,” and she plans to give priority to small French companies in public tender offers. Her pledge to slash France’s contribution to the EU would have a considerable impact on joint projects as France is a net contributor to the bloc.► Le Pen says she wants to stick to the Paris climate accord.