A New Factory, An Old Problem: France’s "Battery Valley" Fails to Stem Far-Right Surge
In the heart of northern France, a new dawn is breaking. Amidst the remnants of a bygone industrial era, a gleaming new factory, the Automotive Cells Company (ACC), stands as a symbol of hope in the struggling town of Billy-Berclau. 700 newly hired workers are crafting electric vehicle batteries, part of a grand vision dubbed "Battery Valley" — a reindustrialization project aimed at reviving the region’s flagging fortunes and countering the rise of the far-right National Rally party. President Emmanuel Macron’s government has hailed this ambitious project as a lifeline, a key weapon in their fight against the National Rally, which has gained significant traction in areas hit hard by job losses.
"Industry is an anti-National Rally weapon, because in places where anger has risen, we’re restoring hope," remarked Roland Lescure, Mr. Macron’s deputy industry minister earlier this year. But despite this lofty goal, the realpolitik paints a starkly different picture. Billy-Berclau, like many towns in the Pas-de-Calais region, overwhelmingly elected National Rally candidates in recent parliamentary elections. This stark reality raises crucial questions about the efficacy of Macron’s economic strategy and the deep-rooted anxieties that resonate with voters.
Key Takeaways:
- A New Dawn, But An Old Problem: While a new electric vehicle battery factory offers hope for the revival of the Pas-de-Calais region, the far-right National Rally captured a majority of votes in the recent parliamentary elections, highlighting a disconnect between economic revitalization and voter sentiment.
- A Sense of Disparity: Despite the new factory and its promise of jobs, many locals feel that their struggles remain unaddressed. The rising cost of living, concerns over immigration, and a perceived lack of support from the government are fueling frustration and a sense of disillusionment.
- The National Rally’s Appeal: The National Rally, once associated with overt racism and extremism, has rebranded itself as a champion of the working class and is now skillfully tapping into the anxieties of those who feel left behind by globalization and economic changes.
- The Battery Valley Experiment: The "Battery Valley" initiative, which includes several new battery and recycling factories, is a central pillar of Macron’s reindustrialization strategy, aiming to create 20,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade.
- A New Beginning, But A Lingering Doubt: While some, like Christophe Lequimme, a former engine builder who now works at ACC, see the factory as a chance for a fresh start, the political landscape reveals a deeper sense of unease and distrust in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
The Pas-de-Calais, once a thriving hub of coal mining and heavy industry, has been battered by relentless waves of globalization since World War II. The region has witnessed wrenching cycles of industrial decline and short-lived rebirths. The closure of mines and the relocation of manufacturing facilities to lower-wage countries left behind a trail of economic despair that fueled the rise of the National Rally.
Marine Le Pen, the charismatic leader of the National Rally, astutely seized upon the anxieties of the disenfranchised. She crafted a new image for her party, no longer identified with its previous extremist leanings, but instead focusing on economic concerns and promises to champion the plight of the common worker. Through astute campaigning, she effectively targeted towns across France, including the Pas-de-Calais, where she established her election office and actively courted working-class voters.
As globalization continued to wreak havoc on the local economy, further job losses fueled a sense of deep-seated frustration in the region. The Pas-de-Calais became a hotbed of support for Le Pen’s National Rally, with the region consistently registering high voter turnout for the party. In the 2017 presidential elections, Le Pen garnered nearly 52 percent of the vote in the Pas-de-Calais, nearly double Macron’s share. This trend only intensified in the 2022 election, where Le Pen secured a staggering 57 percent of the votes.
In direct response to this political reality, Macron initiated a radical shift in his economic strategy, abandoning his previous stance in favor of embracing ‘reindustrialization with technologies of the future’. This marked a crucial shift towards a more interventionist approach, aimed at bolstering domestic industries and creating a more resilient economy.
The "Battery Valley" initiative is a central pillar of this strategy. The government has pledged substantial investments to support the creation of several new factories, including those producing electric vehicle batteries and recycling plants. While the project promises to bring new jobs and economic vitality, it remains to be seen whether it can truly address the deep-seated anxieties and disillusionment that have fueled the rise of the National Rally.
Inside the state-of-the-art ACC factory, a new generation of workers is busy building the future of electric mobility. Among them is Christophe Lequimme, a long-time employee of Française de Mécanique, a Stellantis subsidiary that was once a pillar of the local economy. Lequimme, like many others, was forced to retrain and adapt to the changing landscape of the auto industry. While he sees the factory as a beacon of hope, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The recent electoral victory of Bruno Bilde, a National Rally politician, serves as a stark reminder of the deep fissures that continue to divide the community.
"We have many people who own their own homes, who have decent pensions. People have jobs and there’s low unemployment," said Steve Bossart, the center-left mayor of Billy-Berclau. Despite these positive indicators, a palpable sense of insecurity and fear has permeated the region. The rise of the National Rally hinges on tapping into these anxieties, stoking fears of immigration and globalization, and offering a simplistic solution to complex economic problems.
The "Battery Valley" project represents a bold attempt by Macron to re-industrialize France and counter the growing influence of the National Rally. However, the recent electoral results demonstrate that this effort may not be enough to quell the anxieties and resentment that have taken root in the region. The challenge for Macron and his government is to bridge the gap between economic progress and the perceived disconnect between their policies and the lived experiences of the people they are trying to help. Only then can France truly reclaim its industrial prowess and forge a path towards a more equitable future.
