'I have complete confidence in Jordan': Le Pen backs Bardella after three days of silence
After three days of silence, the National Rally's French presidential candidate has responded to Mediapart's release of new alleged evidence of antisemitic remarks by the party leader.
Marine Le Pen has publicly reaffirmed her confidence in Jordan Bardella following multiple allegations of antisemitic and conspiracist messages attributed to him. This comes after investigative website Mediapart published a second article on the affair, three days after their initial report. Le Pen, who is campaigning for the 2027 presidential election, stated in La Tribune Dimanche that she has complete confidence in Bardella, who is expected to become her prime minister if she wins the election.
The allegations against Bardella include derogatory comments about Jews, accusations that certain ministers prioritize Israel and banking interests over French interests, and claims that he was influenced by far-right ideologue Alain Soral, who has been convicted of inciting racial hatred, antisemitism, homophobia, and Holocaust denial.
Bardella denies all the allegations, calling the messages "crude fakes" and claiming they were part of a "total war" to undermine the National Rally's presidential campaign. He has filed two legal complaints, one for defamation and one for forgery and use of forgeries.
Le Pen's confidence in Bardella is not entirely unwavering, as the French newspaper Le Parisien reports that it is uncertain whether Le Pen believes in Bardella's good faith. They suggest that the exchanged messages may be genuine, reflecting the views of a 17-year-old influenced by Soral, who no longer holds those views. However, Le Pen dismisses the controversies as not impacting her 30% to 35% voting intentions.
Bardella and Le Pen are scheduled to appear together at a joint press conference on Tuesday to present an alternative budget proposed by Bardella, as the government released its budget plans on Thursday. The controversy surrounding Bardella's alleged messages has raised questions about whether the National Rally might avoid censuring the government if it pushes its bill through using article 49.3, a constitutional tool that allows a text to be adopted without a vote unless a motion of censure secures a majority.
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