Who’s in Charge? Le Pen’s Campaign Sets Bardella on Hold

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:19:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Le Pen’s decision to run for president leaves her protégé Jordan Bardella—once the party’s rising star—in limbo as the internal battle shapes France’s political future.

After Marine Le Pen announced her candidacy for the 2027 French presidency, party leader Jordan Bardella was forced to shift from contender to back‑bencher, watching his political climb stall. The National Rally’s former 28‑year‑old president now serves as a partner, pledging to support le Pen if she succeeds. Bardella’s quiet response to the news underscores a strategic partnership, while the party’s strengths remain in the polls. Meanwhile, the looming parliamentary election in 2029 means Bardella’s future role as prime minister is still uncertain. France’s right‑wing rally emerges at a crossroads, with the next steps of the National Rally’s leadership still to be decided.

When Marine Le Pen declared she would take the presidential race in 2027, National Rally president Jordan Bardella saw his own bid evaporate. He offered a calm, flat‑spoken reply: “Neither,” he said, “I am glad Marine can represent us.” The announcement shifted the party’s spotlight back onto Le Pen and moved Bardella to a supporting role.

Bardella, who has ascended the party’s ranks in record time, had eyed the presidency as his culmination. He has voiced hope that he would succeed the current president, buoyed by strong approval ratings of 40 % in early July. The sudden shift to “a winning ticket” for Le Pen means Bardella now has to work as a partner, preparing to signal a hand‑off if the poll math matches the next parliamentary election in 2029.

Despite the change, Bardella’s positions on immigration, EU‑membership and French sovereignty remain aligned with le Pen’s platform. He has called for a federal referendum on immigration and said he would renegotiate France’s place in the EU, even hinting at cutting the country’s contribution to the European budget. The balancing act, however, has drawn criticism: “I don’t want to destroy anything” is his assurances, while analysts think his public persona allows voters to project a wide range of ideals.

Outside the party, Bardella’s political reach has expanded through alliances with Euros‑parliamentary leaders such as Giorgia Meloni and Poland’s PiS, and he has distanced himself from former US President Donald Trump. His personal life has also flashed in the media, noting his romance with Princess Maria Carolina or the behind‑the‑scenes support from Il Leaders.

With the 2029 parliamentary elections still to come, Bardella’s path to the premiership remains curtailed. In the face of a court‑grounded decision and a still‑unpredictable French electorate, any real power shift rests on Le Pen’s performance and public acceptance. Until then, the National Rally’s future lies on the delicate balance between loyalty and ambition, as the party watches its leader and protégé navigate a volatile political landscape.