Bardella’s international blitz hints at new role for French far right leader
The National Rally president wants to woo investors worried about the party's economic platform.
French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is expanding his international responsibilities for the National Rally, as part of a strategy to reassure international markets concerned about the cost of National Rally leader Marine Le Pen's populist platform. Bardella, who recently delivered a speech at the Reform UK party congress in Birmingham and visited the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy, is also set to give 10 interviews to international media outlets.
An aide to Bardella noted that Bardella has always been attached to the party's international credibility and will pay close attention to the international press during the campaign. Bardella's rising prominence in the National Rally can be traced back to his twenties, where he brought professionalism to the party, helping it secure victories in the 2019 and 2024 European elections.
Bardella is now the head of the Patriots group in the European Parliament. While Le Pen's popularity is soaring, her chances of winning the presidential election remain uncertain due to an embezzlement conviction. Bardella, as the presumptive candidate, has attempted to win over fiscally conservative voters by advocating for a more market-friendly platform.
Post an appeals court ruling, Le Pen has pledged to lower the retirement age, potentially costing €9 billion annually. Bardella is now positioning himself for a role similar to that of Giorgia Meloni, who successfully increased her international profile before becoming Italy's prime minister in 2022.
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