Government Hires Reputation Management Firm for Potential Future Applicants in the RN
The National Rally party in France has found itself embroiled in a series of recent controversies, with revelations of racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic texts published by Deputy Caroline Parmentier in the far-right newspaper Présent for over three decades. This latest scandal has further tarnished the party's reputation.
The National Rally collected a significant windfall in the last legislative elections, which they are now using to finance their work. However, the party's digital screening practices to avoid controversy in elections remain unclear. Generally, political parties might use digital screening to vet candidates by monitoring their online presence, social media activity, and public statements to ensure they align with the party's values and avoid potential scandals. Yet, the specific methods employed by the National Rally remain elusive.
In addition to the controversy surrounding Deputy Parmentier, Facebook groups with racist content have been discovered, with National Rally officials present within them. The exact number of candidates that need to be investigated is currently 577.
The National Rally's financial situation has seen a substantial improvement, with their annual envelope increasing during the new legislature. This increase, from 10.1 million euros to 15.3 million (minus a 700,000 euro penalty for not respecting parity), has significantly boosted the party's resources. The company analysing the profiles is reportedly billing a few hundred euros per profile analysed.
As the National Rally continues to navigate these challenging times, it remains to be seen how they will address these issues and whether they will implement stricter digital screening measures to prevent future controversies. For a clearer understanding of the party's practices, consulting specific reports or statements from the party itself or from political analysts focusing on French political parties' strategies would be beneficial.
The National Rally party has been engaging in various business ventures to generate funds, with an annual increase in their financial envelope. However, questions regarding their digital screening practices to vet candidates and avoid conflicts remain unanswered. Meanwhile, alarming discoveries of racism and the presence of National Rally officials in Facebook groups with racist content have added another layer to the party's controversies, necessitating investigation into 577 candidates.
