-
The French strikes that could threaten the Paris Olympics 2024
Several groups are threatening to strike over what they see as a lack of bonus pay over the busy period
-
Many Casino supermarkets to become cheaper Intermarchés: where and why
Find out which supermarkets are due to change and if there is one near you
-
Storms and rain for most of France this weekend, low alerts raised
Only the south-east is expected to avoid a wet bank holiday weekend
Bannon air time cuts far-right RN's media allowance
Media watchdog decides that media appearances of Donald Trump's former chief strategist should be counted as support for RN's European election campaign
The media appearances in France of Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon must be included in calculations of media air time given to Marine Le Pen's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party during the European election campaign.
Mr Bannon arrived in France last week, and has presented himself as an 'informal adviser' to RN, acting in a 'voluntary capacity' to 'give advice' and help develop 'connections'.
France has strict media laws during election periods, which includes careful monitoring of the amount of broadcast time each political party receives.
The Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel, which has responsibility for ensuring media organisations comply with the law confirmed reports that Mr Bannon's TV and radio appearances would be included as part of RN's media time.
It followed a tweet from Quotidien journalist Julien Bellver, which said: "Marine Le Pen may deny her close ties with Steve Bannon, but the CSA has decided to count the time of the former Trump councillor into the time of the RN. He is considered as a support."
Petite info : Marine Le Pen a beau nier ses liens étroits avec Steve Bannon, le CSA a décidé de décompter le temps de parole de l’ex-conseiller de Trump dans celui du RN. Il est considéré comme un soutien.
— Julien Bellver (@julienbellver) May 22, 2019
As a result, party candidates, including RN's European elections list leader Jordan Bardella, could see their media time cut.
In an interview with Le Parisien, Mr Bannon described the election campaign in France as “without a doubt” the most important in the EU parliamentary elections.
Polls suggest the far-right, Eurosceptic RN is neck-and-neck with the centrist Republic on the Move party of President Emmanuel Macron.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France