With a critical Paris appeals court ruling approaching this Tuesday, Marine Le Pen and the National Rally’s (RN) young president, Jordan Bardella, have publicly pledged to maintain their partnership regardless of the outcome. The court is set to determine if Le Pen remains eligible to compete in the 2027 presidential election following a March 2025 ruling that accused her of overseeing a fraudulent system to siphon €2.9 million in European Parliament funds. If the appeals court upholds this decision, the three-time presidential candidate faces a ban from the 2027 race, which is widely considered her strongest opportunity to secure the presidency.
Addressing supporters during a party “country banquet” in Liévin, northern France, Le Pen dismissed potential obstacles to her candidacy, stating, “Here’s a little message for those who think that putting obstacles in our way is enough to discourage us. We will never be discouraged.” She further emphasized that should the court prevent her from standing, she would support her protégé Bardella with “great energy,” “great conviction,” and “great confidence.” Bardella reciprocated this sentiment by reaffirming his “full support” and “complete friendship,” noting that the young RN president added that he hopes to see her elected president of the republic in a few months time.
The event, which saw fewer attendees than the 1,200 activists the party had anticipated, served as a platform for the duo to dispel persistent rumors of internal dissent. While their speeches focused less on specific policy agendas, they directed sharp criticism at their political rivals. The pair labeled Jean-Luc Mélenchon as a proponent of “racialist policy” and characterized former prime ministers Gabriel Attal and Édouard Philippe as “mini-Macrons.”
Le Pen, who reached the second round of the presidential polls in both 2017 and 2022 against Emmanuel Macron, currently faces a landscape where the incumbent cannot seek a third consecutive term. The upcoming court verdict stands as a pivotal moment for her political future and the strategic direction of the National Rally.
