French National Rally Proposes Policy Limiting Social Benefits to Citizens

Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally Party (RN), announced during a May 1, 2026, Labor Day speech that social benefits and state handouts should go to French citizens alone. Hot Air reported that Bardella stated the party intends to pursue a policy reserving social benefits for French nationals if it wins the presidential elections in 2027.

He restated that family benefits would be reserved for households where parents hold French citizenship as part of a broader push for national priority.

Bardella stated that under RN leadership, social housing will be allocated as a priority to French families who need it most. He insisted that social benefits will be reserved for French nationals. Bardella criticized the country’s provision of state-funded healthcare to undocumented migrants and vowed to end state-funded healthcare offering comprehensive free treatment to undocumented migrants.

In the speech, Bardella stated that one in three French persons goes without medical care due to a lack of funds. Hot Air reported this announcement occurred while Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN, awaits a final decision in July on the appeal of her conviction on corruption charges. The appeal of Le Pen's conviction includes a subsequent ban from running for office.

Bardella serves as the second in command of the RN, in addition to his role as president. Hot Air reported on related data showing remittances from the African diaspora to Africa increased by 36% from 2007 to 2016. 3 billion in 2007.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that total remittances to Africa amounted to just over $65 billion in 2016. As of 2023, Africa received over $100 billion in remittances, amounting to approximately 6% of the continent’s GDP. Over 40 million Africans are living abroad as of 2023.