Marine Le Pen’s Deputy Steps Back as 2027 Presidential Bid Falters
Leadership Shift Leaves Bardella in a Position of Uncertainty
Forced to wait his turn Marine – During a recent campaign event in La Flèche, Jordan Bardella displayed a reserved demeanor when questioned about his emotions regarding the National Rally’s (RN) 2027 presidential candidacy. A stern figure, he squinted at the sun as reporters asked whether he felt relieved or disappointed about not being the party’s nominee. “Neither,” he replied in a measured tone, adding, “I’m glad Marine can lead us. We’ll continue working closely as we always have.” This statement came hours after his mentor, Marine Le Pen, declared her intent to run for the presidency, effectively sidelining Bardella’s aspirations.
Le Pen’s decision to retain the candidacy was finalized in a swift 20-minute segment on primetime TV, where she concluded the possibility of ceding the role to her protégé. The Paris court had earlier lifted her ban on holding public office, ruling that she could run for president with an electronic monitoring device for a year. That evening, she and Bardella announced their plan to run as a unified “winning ticket,” with her as president and him as prime minister. However, the French political system does not immediately allow for such a transition. The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2029, meaning Bardella might have to wait years before his role as a potential leader could materialize.
A Rapid Rise and Quiet Ambitions
Bardella’s ascent within the RN has been meteoric, yet he has always been cautious about his presidential ambitions. He repeatedly expressed support for Marine Le Pen, stating his willingness to run only if an appeal court barred her from candidacy due to a fake job scam. As the appeal verdict approached, Bardella seemed eager to launch his own campaign, even making a statesman-like visit to Poland last month to meet allies and tour the eastern border.
Despite his current setback, many RN supporters see Le Pen’s decision as advantageous. Her experience in politics, including three prior presidential runs, has bolstered her poll lead. Bardella’s youth and relative inexperience, on the other hand, were expected to draw scrutiny, potentially making him a liability. At a recent campaign event, his subdued body language contrasted with Le Pen’s radiant confidence, suggesting his personal ambitions might not have been as central as she claimed.
From PlayStation to Political Power
Bardella’s early life was marked by contrasts. Born in 1995, he was raised by his Italian-born mother, Luisa, on the outskirts of Paris. While his father, Olivier, ran a drinks distribution business in the wealthier town of Montmorency, Bardella’s childhood was shaped by his passion for gaming. As a teenager, he spent hours on his PlayStation and streamed Call of Duty matches on a YouTube channel named Jordan9320. His decision to join the far-right National Front in 2012—when he was just 17—was a turning point. By 19, he had become a local departmental secretary, and by 20, a regional councillor for the Paris area.
Bardella later credited his political entry to a deep admiration for Marine Le Pen, who had revitalized the party since taking over from her father, Jean-Marie, in 2011. “There’s something about her that others don’t have,” he remarked in 2021, highlighting her unique ability to transform the RN into a mainstream political force. Yet, his early career was defined by rapid progression, with little time for academic pursuits. He left university to focus on climbing the party’s ranks, a path that led him to the cusp of a presidential bid—only to be thrust into the role of a waiting deputy.
“There’s something about her that others don’t have. She has a charac”
