Overview

The story of the French far right's unstoppable rise from the woes of a broken society to the powerful personalities upending the status quo. France's next presidential election is due by 2027, if not sooner; and its far-right Rassemblement National is on course to win it. Such a victory would trigger shockwaves internationally, with profound implications for allies and neighbours including the UK and the US. Founded by the antisemitic Jean-Marie Le Pen, the RN previously the Front National was confined to the fringes until his daughter Marine took over in 2011. She 'detoxified' the party's image, bringing in telegenic young protege Jordan Bardella as the modern face of the RN. Together, they have focused on voters' economic grievances while condemning 'mass immigration' of Muslims and foreign 'criminals' a strategy starkly reminiscent of Donald Trump's own route, twice, into the White House. Right-wing nationalists were already gaining ground worldwide and across the EU before Trump's re-election gave them another boost. Now France at the core of the European project is the far right's next greatprize. In both rounds of 2024's parliamentary elections, the RN won more votes than any other party. In vivid, sharp prose, Victor Mallet explains how the French far right has won over the country and become a government in waiting one preparing to transform France, Europe and the world.

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9781805264132

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Reviews

'A very readable, deeply reported examination of what could be the next great political upheaval to hit the West. Victor Mallet understands the centuries-old history of the French far right, arguably dating back to its ""defeat"" of 1789, but he is also on top of the present, and has spoken to today's most important actors. Read it to avoid future shocks.' -- <b>Simon Kuper, author of <i>Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century</i></b> ‘Après Macron… Marine? With the next French political revolution predicted to come from the radical right, this is a smart, timely and clear-eyed guide to how the party founded by Jean-Marie Le Pen shed its pariah status, won over middle France and placed itself in pole position to claim the presidency.’ -- <b>James Coomarasamy, BBC radio and TV presenter</b> 'A compelling, vivid and indispensable account of one of the most consequential political developments for Europe in the twenty-first century: the inexorable rise of the French populist far right.' -- <b>Sylvie Kauffmann, lead writer and columnist, <i>Le Monde</i></b> 'Victor Mallet combines deep reporting and historical perspective to chart the National Rally's move from the fringes to the very center of French politics. Venturing far beyond Paris, Mallet delves into the anger and alienation of the provinces that drive the far right's rise. A window into the political shifts transforming the country, this is the book that no one interested in the future of Europe can afford to ignore.' -- <b>Saskya Vandoorne, Paris Bureau Chief, CNN</b> ‘Victor Mallet deftly traces the origins the of French far right and lays out the stakes for the movement’s continuing rise. A must for anyone who cares about France and its future.’ -- <b>Lauren Collins, staff writer, <i>New Yorker</i>, and author of <i>When in France</i></b> ‘An acute, punchy account of how the far right has taken the lead in French politics—and of the dangers that represents. A penetrating panorama, melding political analysis and grassroots reporting.’ -- <b>Jonathan Fenby, author of <i>The History of Modern France</i></b> 'An indispensable and accessible introduction to the seemingly inexorable rise of the extreme right in contemporary France. It is entirely plausible that the Rassemblement National of Marine Le Pen will come to power in France in 2027. This lively and well-informed book by a seasoned observer of French politics explains why France finds itself in this situation and what it portends for the future.' -- <b>Julian Jackson, author of <i>France on Trial</i></b> 'For anyone interested in France as well as the future of Europe, Mallet’s book is essential reading. The urgency of his warnings is perfectly balanced with understanding and compassion. -- <b>Ruth Harris, author of <i>Dreyfus: Politics, Emotion, and the Scandal of the Century</i></b>

‘An acute, punchy account of how the far right has taken the lead in French politics—and of the dangers that represents. A penetrating panorama, melding political analysis and grassroots reporting.’ -- <b>Jonathan Fenby, author of <i>The History of Modern France</i></b> 'A very readable, deeply reported examination of what could be the next great political upheaval to hit the West. Victor Mallet understands the centuries-old history of the French far right, arguably dating back to its ""defeat"" of 1789, but he is also on top of the present, and has spoken to today's most important actors. Read it to avoid future shocks.' -- <b>Simon Kuper, author of <i>Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century</i></b> 'For anyone interested in France as well as the future of Europe, Mallet’s book is essential reading. The urgency of his warnings is perfectly balanced with understanding and compassion. -- <b>Ruth Harris, author of <i>Dreyfus: Politics, Emotion, and the Scandal of the Century</i></b>

‘An acute, punchy account of how the far right has taken the lead in French politics—and of the dangers that represents. A penetrating panorama, melding political analysis and grassroots reporting.’ -- <b>Jonathan Fenby, author of <i>The History of Modern France</i></b> 'Victor Mallet combines deep reporting and historical perspective to chart the National Rally's move from the fringes to the very center of French politics. Venturing far beyond Paris, Mallet delves into the anger and alienation of the provinces that drive the far right's rise. A window into the political shifts transforming the country, this is the book that no one interested in the future of Europe can afford to ignore.' -- <b>Saskya Vandoorne, Paris Bureau Chief, CNN</b> 'A very readable, deeply reported examination of what could be the next great political upheaval to hit the West. Victor Mallet understands the centuries-old history of the French far right, arguably dating back to its ""defeat"" of 1789, but he is also on top of the present, and has spoken to today's most important actors. Read it to avoid future shocks.' -- <b>Simon Kuper, author of <i>Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century</i></b> 'An indispensable and accessible introduction to the seemingly inexorable rise of the extreme right in contemporary France. It is entirely plausible that the Rassemblement National of Marine Le Pen will come to power in France in 2027. This lively and well-informed book by a seasoned observer of French politics explains why France finds itself in this situation and what it portends for the future.' -- <b>Julian Jackson, author of <i>France on Trial</i></b> 'For anyone interested in France as well as the future of Europe, Mallet’s book is essential reading. The urgency of his warnings is perfectly balanced with understanding and compassion. -- <b>Ruth Harris, author of <i>Dreyfus: Politics, Emotion, and the Scandal of the Century</i></b>

‘An acute, punchy account of how the far right has taken the lead in French politics—and of the dangers that represents. A penetrating panorama, melding political analysis and grassroots reporting.’ -- <b>Jonathan Fenby, author of <i>The History of Modern France</i></b> 'A very readable, deeply reported examination of what could be the next great political upheaval to hit the West. Victor Mallet understands the centuries-old history of the French far right, arguably dating back to its ""defeat"" of 1789, but he is also on top of the present, and has spoken to today's most important actors. Read it to avoid future shocks.' -- <b>Simon Kuper, author of <i>Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century</i></b>

Author Information

Victor Mallet is an award-winning correspondent who has spent decades reporting from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia for the Financial Times and Reuters. The author of River of Life, River of Death and The Trouble With Tigers, he has interviewed politicians including Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron.

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