Marine Le Pen supports the use of surplus nuclear energy to mine bitcoin.
According to the French newspaper Le Monde, the Rassemblement National (RN) political party is promoting an initiative to implement Bitcoin mining powered by nuclear energy, utilizing the surplus output from the country’s atomic power plants.
As reported by the French media outlet, three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has embraced the idea of using unused nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining. During a visit to the Flamanville nuclear plant on March 11, Le Pen personally advocated for this strategic plan.
RN lawmaker Aurélien Lopez-Liguori has spearheaded the parliamentary initiative, drafting a bill to install mining infrastructure at sites operated by energy giant Électricité de France (EDF).
The goal is to convert excess electricity into digital assets, which the party describes as “secure and extremely profitable solution.” Lopez-Liguori stated that the intention is to use every single bit of produced energy to eliminate waste.
This approach marks a shift for the French party, considering that in 2016 Le Pen had called for a ban on cryptocurrencies in France, arguing that the digitalization of money would deprive people of the “ownership” of their wealth. Now, mining is being presented as an opportunity to unlock value from the country’s existing energy resources.
Despite the proposal, ideological tensions persist within the party. Jean-Philippe Tanguy, RN’s economic spokesperson, has voiced skepticism about embracing monetary independence, reaffirming his trust in centralized monetary policies.
Still, the Rassemblement National remains the most active political force in France regarding digital asset legislation. According to Le Monde, while left-wing parties continue to focus on the environmental impact of mining and its potential links to illicit finance, RN has drawn in crypto lobbyists and entrepreneurs who view the party as taking a favorable stance toward the sector.
