Marine Le Pen’s decision to pursue the French presidency in 2027 is being viewed by centrist and left-wing members of the European Parliament as a significant challenge. While many had speculated that Jordan Bardella, a fellow MEP, might replace her as the National Rally’s candidate due to her legal issues, lawmakers in Brussels argue that Le Pen remains the more formidable contender.
Sandro Gozi, an MEP from the centrist Democratic Movement, suggested that French voters are currently seeking reassurance rather than the novelty offered by a younger candidate. According to Gozi, Le Pen’s career is built on positioning herself as a champion of the people against the elite, effectively addressing anxieties regarding energy, purchasing power, and war. He noted that while Bardella attempts to build credibility with the French upper class—even through his high-profile relationship with Maria Carolina di Borbone delle Due Sicilie—these efforts risk alienating the party’s core working-class support base.
Le Pen’s personal history, characterized by three previous presidential bids and a recent fraud conviction, has cultivated an image of an outsider that resonates with many voters. As Gozi remarked, “People admire her scars.” This sentiment is echoed by others in the European Parliament who believe her experience makes her a much tougher opponent to defeat in a second-round runoff.
Manon Aubry, who leads the left-wing France Unbowed delegation, stated that Le Pen is far more prepared for the rigors of presidential debates than Bardella, whom she described as weak when forced to deviate from prepared talking points. Another anonymous MEP from the Renaissance Party agreed, noting that Le Pen has learned from past political errors, specifically referencing her difficult 2017 debate performance against Emmanuel Macron.
Socialist MEP Brando Benifei also dismissed the notion that Bardella would have been a more effective candidate due to his popularity with younger voters. He argued that Le Pen holds more appeal across significant demographic groups and that the far-right faces inherent challenges with younger voters of foreign backgrounds regardless of the candidate. Ultimately, these lawmakers conclude that Le Pen’s experience and solid standing within the National Rally make her a more difficult obstacle for their political factions to overcome.
