In a notable policy pivot, France's far-right political party, Rassemblement National (National Rally), is pushing to use the country's surplus nuclear energy to mine Bitcoin. This proposal represents a dramatic shift from the party's previous stance of wanting to ban cryptocurrencies entirely.
The party's leader, Marine Le Pen, who in 2016 called for a ban on all cryptocurrencies in France, now supports the plan. Her change in position was made clear during a March visit to the Flamanville nuclear power plant. The party now sees Bitcoin mining as a way to strengthen France's economy and make better use of wasted energy.
RN lawmaker Aurélien Lopez-Liguori has spearheaded the proposal in the French Parliament, drafting a bill to install mining infrastructure at sites operated by the state-owned utility company Électricité de France (EDF). The plan aims to address a significant problem for France, which generates over 70% of its electricity from nuclear power. This high output often leads to surpluses, forcing energy companies to sell the excess power at a loss.
The proposal includes a five-year pilot program. Under the plan, mining computers would be set up at nuclear plants and would operate when electricity demand is low, turning the surplus energy into digital assets. The computers would automatically shut down when electricity demand rises, ensuring regular consumers always get priority access.
Despite this progressive stance, internal conflicts persist within Rassemblement National regarding cryptocurrency, with some members advocating for maintaining centralized monetary policy. Nevertheless, the party has attracted interest from crypto lobbyists and entrepreneurs who see it as pro-business. The success of the proposal remains uncertain, as it must navigate a complex political landscape where crypto remains a controversial topic.