In brief
Marine Le Pen’s announcement that she would run for president in 2027 with Jordan Bardella as her running mate has left the 28‑year‑old party deputy in the background. Bardella, who climbed quickly through the National Rally ranks, expressed both support for Le Pen and disappointment at being left out as the main candidate. The decision signals a shift in RN strategy, but it also reflects the uncertainty in France’s political future, with the next presidential elections still months away. The story highlights how the dynamics within the party’s leadership team have shifted and what it could mean for France’s right‑wing politics.
Marine Le Pen’s afternoon confirmation that she would run in 2027, together with her deputy Jordan Bardella, has forced the promising 28‑year‑old to go back into the background. Bardella, who rose quickly through the National Rally ranks, applauded the decision but left the debate on whether he would remain “Plan B” a lingering question.
During a campaign event in La Flèche, Bardella answered a reporter asking if he was relieved or disappointed that he would not be the 2027 presidential candidate in a flat voice, saying “Neither.” He added, “I am glad Marine can represent us. We will work together hand in hand like we’ve always done.”
The pivotal moment came a day earlier when a Paris court lifted Marine Le Pen’s ban from holding public office and imposed an electronic tag for a year. Le Pen announced that she and Bardella would run together as a “winning ticket”: she would be president and he would be prime minister. However, France’s political system means the next parliamentary election isn’t due until 2029, leaving room for uncertainty.
Bardella’s rise has stalled amid a rapidly changing political landscape. He has been a prominent spokesperson for the far‑right, promising new policies on immigration and an EU renegotiation, and has cultivated a strong social media presence. Yet as Marine Le Pen’s lead in the polls stabilises, Bardella’s appeal to the youth vote must contend with an older electorate seeking experience.
Despite the setback, Bardella maintains a calm stance, pledging support for Le Pen while accepting that the future of the National Rally may rest on her visibility and leadership. The decision to role‑share highlights the complex dynamics of French right‑wing politics and the uncertain path to the 2027 presidency.
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