French far-right oppose leftist prime minister, complicating calculus for Macron | U.S. & World [Video]

By Elizabeth Pineau

PARIS (Reuters) – Leaders from France’s far-right National Rally said on Monday their party will block any prime ministerial candidate from the leftist New Popular Front, narrowing President Emmanuel Macron’s options to resolve the country’s political crisis.

Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, the political tag team that runs the National Rally, met with Macron on Monday as he seeks to unlock the political deadlock caused by July’s inconclusive snap legislative election which he called.

After their one-hour meeting, Bardella said the New Popular Front – a broad alliance of parties ranging from the moderate Socialists to Jean-Luc Melenchon’s far-left France Unbowed – was a “danger” for the country.

Bardella said his camp would immediately call a no-confidence vote against any leftist premier.

“The New Popular Front in its programme, in its movements, as well as the personalities who embody it represents a danger to public order, civil peace and …