Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, has announced that he would run for the 2027 presidential election with Marine Le Pen’s support if she is barred from participating, he revealed in an interview published on Saturday.
Marine Le Pen, the long-standing figurehead of the French far-right, suffered a major blow at the end of March when a court convicted her and several party officials of fraud related to fictitious jobs at the European Parliament, according to Reuters.
Besides receiving a prison sentence, financial penalties, and a five-year ban from holding public office, Le Pen is currently appealing the verdict in hopes of overturning it and securing her eligibility to run.
In an interview with Le Parisien, 29-year-old Bardella, widely considered Le Pen’s protégé, gave the clearest indication yet that he would be RN’s presidential candidate if she cannot run.
“There is no ambiguity about Marine Le Pen being my candidate, but if she were prevented from running tomorrow, I believe I can tell you that I would be her candidate,” Bardella told the newspaper.
“I couldn’t be clearer,” he added, emphasizing the “vital need for unity” within the party.
Macron’s Camp Also Weighs Successors
Le Pen had been considered the far-right’s strongest contender for the Elysée Palace in 2027, as Emmanuel Macron must step down after two terms. She had intended to serve as president with Bardella as prime minister.
However, Bardella noted:
“The qualities expected from a potential prime minister and a presidential candidate are more or less quite similar.”
The 2027 election is shaping up to be a major turning point in modern French political history, but the race remains wide open across the political spectrum just two years before the vote.
From Macron’s centrist camp, several figures are positioning themselves:
- Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has confirmed his intention to run.
- Gabriel Attal, another former prime minister, is also considering a campaign.
- Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, formerly interior minister, openly expressed his interest, saying: “Do I want it? Yes. Do I have a plan? I am working on it,”
stressing the responsibility of centrists to unite behind a single candidate.
