Jordan Bardella Prepares for 2027 French Presidency
Jordan Bardella, president of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), stated on Saturday that he would run in the 2027 presidential election if his mentor, Marine Le Pen, is barred from participating due to her recent embezzlement conviction.
Le Pen, a three-time presidential candidate and current frontrunner for the 2027 race, was found guilty in March of misusing European Parliament funds in a fake jobs scandal. Alongside a prison sentence and fine, she received an immediate five-year ban from holding public office, pending appeal.
“There is no ambiguity—Marine Le Pen is my candidate. But if she were prevented from running, I think I can tell you that I would be her candidate,” Bardella told Le Parisien in an interview published Saturday.
At just 29, Bardella—who chairs the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament—has long been viewed as Le Pen’s political heir. However, this marks his first explicit acknowledgment of his backup role in the presidential race.
Legal Battle and Political Uncertainty
Le Pen, who has denied wrongdoing, hopes her appeal—expected to be decided by next summer—will overturn or amend the conviction, allowing her to run. The case centers on allegations that she and 23 others diverted over €4 million in EU funds to pay staff who worked primarily on party activities rather than parliamentary duties.
“Marine Le Pen is presumed innocent, and we will use every possible legal recourse to proclaim our innocence,” Bardella emphasized, adding that he is preparing while prioritizing party unity.
The 2027 election is seen as a pivotal moment in French politics, with President Emmanuel Macron ineligible to seek a third term. Le Pen had positioned herself as a leading contender, with Bardella as her potential prime minister.
Yet Bardella suggested the roles require similar qualities: “What we expect from a potential prime minister and a presidential candidate are qualities that are more or less quite similar.”
A Fragmented Political Landscape
The race remains wide open, with no clear challenger yet emerging from the center or center-right. Former Prime Ministers Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal are among possible contenders, while Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin recently confirmed his interest in running.
“Do I want it? Yes. Do I have the project? I’m working on it,” Darmanin told La Voix du Nord, stressing the need for unity among centrist candidates.
As legal and political maneuvering continues, Bardella’s declaration signals the National Rally’s readiness to adapt—with or without its longtime leader.