Marion Maréchal, the niece of Marine Le Pen, embarks on a new political chapter with the establishment of her party, Identité-Libertés (IDL), intending to unite the French Right and fill what she asserts is a "vacant space" on the political spectrum.
Having begun her career within the Front National (FN) back in 2012, Maréchal stepped back from politics after the party’s rebranding to Rassemblement National (RN) five years later. Nonetheless, her return to public life was marked by the launch of the Institut des Sciences Sociales, Économiques et Politiques (ISSEP) and her involvement with Éric Zemmour's Reconquête party, where she held the vice presidency and led their list for the 2024 European elections. Yet, by mid-2024, Maréchal’s departure from Reconquête stemmed from strategic disagreements over electoral alliances for legislative elections, motivating her to create IDL later the same year.
"Identité Libertés embodies the ethos of the civilizational Right," Maréchal stated, emphasizing her commitment to preserving the essence of French identity rooted in Greco-Latin culture and Christian faith. She articulates opposition to mass immigration and the societal Islamization, alongside what she terms the "woke agenda" and excessive reliance on welfare systems. Maréchal's political approach seeks to dismantle the ingrained "socialiste mental" perceivable across public life.
The timing of IDL's launch on October 7—coinciding with the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto—carries symbolic weight for Maréchal. She remarked, "The victory at Lepanto safeguarded European civilization through unity. That's the essence of what IDL aims to embody, standing against common adversities." This coalition approach extended to her open dialogue with RN during her campaign, reinforcing the message of unity rather than division within the right-wing political arena.
Maréchal’s exit from Zemmour’s party reflected a divergence not just in strategy but politically timed responses. She expressed, "I faced two choices: support the radical strategies within Reconquête, risking the national camp's success, or uphold the historic union potential between RN and valued allies"—a move she believes is supported by the electorate. Her list for the European elections garnered approximately 1.4 million votes, contrasting starkly with the 238,000 garnered by Zemmour’s candidates, illustrating her point of electoral viability grounded more deeply within the traditional Right.
Further defining the future of French right-wing politics, Maréchal advocates for unifying multiple parties under a broad coalition, including RN and Éric Ciotti’s group. The objective, she asserts, is to create a comprehensive representation of the Right without losing sight of individual party identities. "This coalition could solidify our stance on immigration and cultural sovereignty," she added.
Despite critiques labeling her new party as divisive, potentially undermining the Right, Maréchal counters this with emphasis on shared fundamental goals. "The desire to save France from socio-political dissolution aligns us more closely than we might realize," she stated, indicating pathways for engaging voters who may feel politically homeless.
Maréchal's distinctive positioning pivots on the integration of her Catholic identity within the broader narrative of right-wing politics, contrasting against Marine Le Pen's secular undertones. She stated, "We are not defined by religious affiliation but France's Catholic heritage undeniably shapes our national identity and influences our society. The Republic may advocate secularism, but our culture is intrinsically tied to Christianity. This reality guides our perspectives and policymaking."
Identité-Libertés situates itself as placing traditional values at the forefront, calling for "anti-woke, anti-welfare, and anti-tax racketeering" policies. The party pledges to restore fiscal conservatism, advocating for reduced taxation and governmental intervention. Maréchal envisions IDL as working within the framework of coalitions to facilitate political change, rallying around the foundational principles of freedom, tradition, and identity.
Looking toward future objectives, Maréchal aims for IDL to play a pivotal role leading up to the 2027 elections, which she characterizes as pivotal for reversing the tide of decades-long socialist policies. "Our primary goal remains to combat mass immigration, restore national pride, and challenge the deconstruction of our civilization," she emphasized. Proactive engagement, beginning systematically with local elections, is part of the plan she outlined to cement the party's presence and influence.
Maréchal’s narrative reflects the underlying tension within France's political right—between competing visions of identity, governance style, and the urgency to unite against the perceived threats of leftist ideologies. With identifiable goals to restore traditional values and assert France's cultural heritage, her newly launched party, Identité-Libertés, may well shape the discourse of the right-wing coalition for years to come.