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The 30-year-old Bardella is the National Rally’s plan B if an appeals court does not rule in Le Pen’s favor next month.
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Marine Le Pen looks on during a session of questions to the government at The National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament in Paris on May 12, 2026. | Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images
June 15, 2026
12:52 pm CET
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is thankful that her party, the National Rally, can count on leader Jordan Bardella if she’s barred from running in the 2027 French election.
“It’s a relief for me that, if I’m prevented from standing, he could stand in my place,” she said in an interview with France Télévisions on Sunday.
Le Pen was convicted of embezzling European Parliament funds in March 2025 , a ruling that currently excludes her from the 2027 presidential race. She immediately challenged the decision with a court expected to rule on her appeal on July 7.
Le Pen has said that if her appeal succeeds, she will run for the presidency, while the 30-year-old Bardella remains the far-right party’s plan B. However, Le Pen has appeared to lose some of her fighting spirit in recent months .
In an interview with POLITICO published Monday, the current leader and MEP signaled a softer approach to foreign affairs compared to Le Pen’s, while maintaining the National Rally party’s criticism of Brussels’ institutions.
“We do not wish to leave the European Union,” Bardella said. “We wish to change everything without destroying anything.”
Asked whether he still wanted to withdraw from NATO’s integrated command, he explained: “We are not in favor of leaving NATO … We do not wish to leave the integrated command as long as there is war at Europe’s doorstep.”
On Ukraine, however, he echoed positions taken by several other European far-right parties, saying he opposes deploying French troops unless they are part of a peacekeeping mission.
Asked whether he would welcome an endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump, as former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did, Bardella replied: “The support I’m seeking, and the support we’re seeking with Marine Le Pen, is the support of the French people, the support of French voters.”
Read the full article at Politico Europe →📄Source document: France Télévisions Interview
2 reports
Politico EuropeIndependentCenter2 days agoThe article discusses the European Council's focus on two main issues: trade disputes and geopolitical challenges, particularly regarding China. It also mentions Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán supporting French far-right politician Marine Le Pen over another candidate, Bardella, in the upcoming French presidential election.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral overview of the European Council's agenda without taking a stance on the issues discussed. It reports on the topics without evident bias or slanted language.
Politico EuropeIndependentCenter6 days ago Le Pen says it’s ‘a relief’ Bardella can stand in French presidential election if she’s bannedFrench far-right leader Marine Le Pen expressed relief that Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old leader of the National Rally, can potentially run in the 2027 French presidential election if she is banned from competing due to her conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds. Le Pen faces a court ruling on July 7 regarding her appeal against the conviction, which currently prevents her from running. If her appeal fails, Bardella would serve as the party's alternative candidate.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports directly on Le Pen's comments and legal situation, providing balanced context about her potential exclusion from the election and the role of Bardella as a backup candidate. No clear framing or
Official sources cited
- press release France Télévisions Interview
- press release POLITICO Published Interview
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