A new French Prime Minister emerges? Bardella poised for the premiership amid shifting political tides
Jordan Bardella, chairman of the French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN), quickly rose through the group's ranks. Marine Le Pen supports him and diverts attention from the populists' controversial slogans and economic ideas. Now, he may become the Prime Minister of France.
The pace at which Jordan Bardella climbed the career ladder in the French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) with the support of leader Marine Le Pen has earned him the nickname "Le Pen’s lion cub," writes CNBC.
After President Emmanuel Macron took a risky step by dissolving the National Assembly following unfavourable European Parliament elections for his party, Bardella's path opened up, which may lead him to the position of Prime Minister.
According to CNBC, if the populists gain the upper hand, he, the energetic and eloquent 28-year-old from the poor suburbs of Paris, would have the greatest chance of leading the new government.
According to the division of competencies within the French system, the Prime Minister would significantly impact France's domestic and economic policy, while Macron, as President, would remain responsible for foreign policy and defence.
Commentators on the French political scene point out that although Bardella's magnetism attracts young voters and his presence appeals to women, he lacks specifics and proposals for solving pressing issues. Instead, politics often takes a back seat to promotion, writes CNBC.
"The Bardella effect"
Despite this, for Le Pen, who is increasingly anointed as the future President of France (the elections are to be held in 2027), the "Bardella effect" brings tangible benefits. It warms the image of the far-right, diverting attention from controversial slogans and solutions.
Le Pen hopes to erase the party's and her own pro-Putin connections or remove the banners calling for France to leave NATO. As Macron suggested, Borell has emphasized that France will continue to support sending weapons to Ukraine but not deploying ground troops.
Quoted by CNBC, Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank, assessed that Le Pen and Bardella are trying to reassure voters and markets that their policies will not be shock therapy.
They are de-emphasising Le Pen’s previous fiscal demands (pension reform reversal, big tax cuts for young and/or low-income citizens). Instead, Le Pen promises that an RN-led government would work with President Macron. To not repel the political centre, the RN seems to have quietly ditched the pro-Putin parts of its previous manifesto, comments the chief economist of Berenberg Bank.
le Pen’s lion cub
As CNBC writes, Bardella's charm does not wane even when the media uncovered inconsistencies in the constructed image of Jordan Bardella's "humble origins." Bardella's father was a successful businessman living in the affluent suburbs of Montmorency, where Jordan spent most of his childhood after his parents’ divorce.
Bardella attended a private school and later studied geography at the Sorbonne, but he left his studies for politics. At the age of 16, he joined the National Assembly—then known as the National Front.
CNBC recalls that Le Pen noticed him because he was dating the daughter of her close friend and confidant, Frederic Chatillon. Within a few weeks of meeting Le Pen in 2017, he became the party’s spokesperson. Two years later, he became a Member of the European Parliament, and in 2022, he became the party’s chairman.
What are his chances of becoming Prime Minister? According to polls, RNs have 35% support. Last week, however, Bardella said he would accept the position only if RN obtained an absolute majority in the vote. CNBC notes that the far-right party is reluctant to lead a fragile minority government.
