From Vanity Fair · Olivier Bouchara · · 2m
Jordan Bardella's Far Right Throne Crumbles
Jordan Bardella, France's far-right leader, faces losing his presidential bid after antisemitic messages resurface.
In brief
Jordan Bardella, France's far-right leader, faces losing his presidential bid after antisemitic messages resurface. Jordan Bardella, France's far-right leader, faces losing his presidential bid after antisemitic messages resurface. Originally reported by Vanity Fair.
Bardella's Quelle Époque! Moment
Jordan Bardella, 30, asked where Trump and Nicolas Sarkozy get all their energy during a Saturday night infotainment show.
“Where does he get all that energy?”
Bardella's Leadership Threat
Bardella was expected to become France's next president after Marine Le Pen's electoral ban was reduced.
“The election won’t take place until April, but Bardella already knows he will not be president.”
Antisemitic Messages Alleged
Mediapart claims Bardella authored antisemitic messages over a decade ago suggesting Jews control banks and seek to dominate non-Jews.
“all banks are owned by Jews”
Bardella Denies Authorship
Bardella denies writing the messages as a 17-year-old and threatens legal action against Mediapart.
“I have only one Twitter account”
Le Pen's Return to Race
Marine Le Pen announced she would resume her presidential candidacy after an appeals court reduced her electoral ban.
“She will be president and Bardella will be her prime minister”
Bardella's Political Rise
Bardella became the youngest departmental official in the National Rally at 19 and a national spokesperson by 22.
“At 23, he was the party’s marquee candidate for the EU parliamentary elections”
Bardella's Campaign Strategy
Bardella shifted the National Rally from Le Pen's immigration-focused policies to pro-business, lower-tax rhetoric.
“I’m not left wing”
Bardella's High-Profile Relationship
Bardella began a relationship with Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a royal influencer with 259,000 Instagram followers.
“We made the decision to stop hiding”
Internal Party Concerns
The National Rally faced backlash over candidates wearing Nazi symbols and making Holocaust-related comments.
“Gas brought justice to the victims of the Shoah”
Le Pen's Conviction
Marine Le Pen was found guilty of misappropriating 2.9 million euros from European Parliament funds in a corruption case.
“2.9 million euros”
Bardella's Political Ambitions
Bardella announced he would refuse the prime minister role if his party didn't win an absolute majority in the French parliament.
“In a few hours, at the age of 28, I might become prime minister”
Bardella's Political Crisis
Bardella faces a leadership crisis after antisemitic messages resurface and his relationship with Le Pen strains.
“Where does she get all that energy?”
Bardella's Political Future
Bardella's leadership is under threat as Le Pen prepares to run for the 2027 presidential election.
“The next presidential election is in 2027”
Bardella's Political Strategy
Bardella is trying to balance his pro-business policies with Le Pen's immigration-focused agenda.
“I’m not left wing”
Bardella's Political Challenges
Bardella faces internal party dissent and public scrutiny over his relationship with Le Pen.
“There are silent marches every day”
Bardella's Political Crisis
Bardella's leadership is under threat as Le Pen prepares to run for the 2027 presidential election.
“The next presidential election is in 2027”
The essence
Jordan Bardella, France's far-right leader, faces losing his presidential bid after antisemitic messages resurface.
