French politician Sarah Knafo opened the door to an alliance with the National Rally during a television appearance on Thursday, September 3.
The Reconquete Member of the European Parliament said she would be open to serving as a minister in a government led by Jordan Bardella under specific conditions. She stated that any cooperation would depend on agreeing on a political program that aligns with her core convictions, adding that political leaders must reach an agreement for the good of France.
Knafo confirmed she favors a broader union of right-wing political forces. She also affirmed that she will support Eric Zemmour if he decides to run in the upcoming presidential election.
Reconquete is a right-wing French political party founded in 2021 by Zemmour, a political commentator and author who ran for president in 2022. Knafo, a former candidate for mayor of Paris who now represents Reconquete in the European Parliament, has long maintained political differences with the National Rally, particularly over economic policy. The National Rally, led by Bardella alongside veteran politician Marine Le Pen, is currently the main right-wing opposition party in France.
Lessons from past election rejections
Despite her call for unity, Knafo acknowledged feeling cautious about the prospects of a formal partnership. She recalled that Reconquete last offered an alliance to the National Rally during the snap parliamentary elections in 2024.
At the time, opinion polls indicated that the National Rally was only a few points away from securing an absolute majority, and the party was widely expected to win. Knafo noted that Reconquete extended a hand to the National Rally, but the party rejected the offer and ultimately failed to win the election.
Strategy for the 2027 presidential election
Addressing whether a new coalition could form three years later for the 2027 presidential election, Knafo said her party intends to highlight its distinct positions during the first round of voting.
She expressed hope that all right-wing parties would demonstrate the intelligence to come together for the second round. French presidential elections use a two-round voting system where the top two candidates from the initial vote advance to a decisive runoff if no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round.
