Jordan Bardella, president of the Rassemblement national, declared his unwavering loyalty to Marine Le Pen during a televised debate on BFM-TV. He embraces his role as potential replacement if she is barred from running for president due to her appeal trial. The far-right party keeps Le Pen as its official candidate until the outcome of the proceedings.
During a three-hour live debate on BFM-TV on Thursday, December 11, Jordan Bardella emphasized his loyalty to Marine Le Pen. "I will always be loyal to Marine Le Pen," he stated, vowing to fight alongside her to prove her innocence. Marine Le Pen remains the Rassemblement national's official candidate for the Élysée, pending her appeal trial by summer 2026, which could lift or confirm her immediate ineligibility penalty.
As Le Pen's heir apparent, Bardella positioned himself as her "first supporter" and promised a joint campaign, before and after the trial. "My goal is for us to come to power," he declared, adding that if Le Pen were prevented from running, it would be "a democratic scandal." He assured the party would participate in the presidential race, stating: "We will be there no matter what, we will be at the starting line, because we can win this election." A recent poll positions him as the winner against potential rivals.
Questioned about his young age of 30, Bardella said he felt "crushed by the weight of responsibilities." Elected to the European Parliament since 2019 and party leader since 2021, he compared his fast-track career to that of older politicians. "I prefer people to say today that it's too early rather than in a few years that it's too late," he retorted, criticizing opponents for "cozying up for thirty years in the Senate" or adding 1,200 billion euros in national debt. He envisioned himself as prime minister if the party gains power.
