Portrait of Marine Le Pen
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Marine Le Pen on Brexit

Eurosceptic proponent of referendum (strong)

Marine Le Pen expressed strong approval of Brexit, calling the UK's 2016 vote to leave the European Union the "biggest thing in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall" and signaling "the beginning of the end of the European Union."

This event served as a major political validation for her long-standing campaign against the current structure of the EU, which she frequently characterized as a failure in social, economic, and diplomatic terms. She intended to use the momentum from the Brexit vote to push for a similar national referendum in France, often referring to the potential outcome as 'Frexit'.

Her position has since moderated, shifting away from calling for an outright departure from the EU or the Eurozone, as seen in her 2019 stance and 2022 campaign. Instead, Marine Le Pen now emphasizes regaining national sovereignty through a referendum, even if that means defying EU rules, a strategy opponents describe as a "Frexit in all but name."

Context

Marine Le Pen's position on Brexit is intrinsically linked to her broader Eurosceptic platform, which prioritizes national sovereignty over the supranational authority of the European Union (EU). She views the EU as imposing policies detrimental to French interests, such as those on economy, migration, and law.

Her support for the UK's departure demonstrated a belief that national self-determination was achievable outside the EU framework, a hope she intended to replicate with a potential 'Frexit.' This stance contrasts with pro-European figures like Emmanuel Macron, who see the EU as essential for peace and economic stability.

Timeline

  1. Marine Le Pen first stated a desire for a referendum on France's EU membership, saying "Just call me Madame Frexit" in an interview.
  2. Following the UK's Brexit vote, Le Pen hailed it as a "Victory for Freedom!" and reiterated her call for a similar referendum in France within six months of winning the presidency.
  3. Le Pen campaigned on holding a referendum on France's EU membership. Fears over the economic consequences of a 'Frexit' are widely believed to have contributed to her second-round defeat against Emmanuel Macron.
  4. Le Pen adjusted her political line, reportedly no longer wanting France to leave the European Union or the euro, favoring instead to change the bloc from within.
  5. While campaigning, Le Pen stated she would not block a referendum on EU membership if one were demanded, though she no longer made leaving the EU a central pledge.

Key Quotes

This is the beginning of the end of the European Union.

TIME interview June 28, 2016 — Her immediate reaction to the Brexit vote result.

Victory for Freedom! As I have been asking for years, we must now have the same referendum in France and EU countries.

Social Media Post (Twitter) June 24, 2016 — Her immediate reaction following the UK's vote to leave.

I do not want to leave the EU... That is not my objective.

Campaign statement April 15, 2022 — Her statement on EU membership during the 2022 presidential campaign.

Criticism

Opponents and commentators

Her current approach, which seeks to implement policies that contradict EU obligations (like border control and budget contributions), is described as 'Frexit in all but name' and a strategy to 'destroy EU from the inside.'

Stephen Sackur (BBC HARDtalk)

Questioned why the French would follow the UK's example given the resulting uncertainty and the historic low of the British pound post-Brexit.