Bardella, Jordan

Jordan Florentin Bardella (b.1995). A far-right French politician who is president of the National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN), formerly led by Marine Le Pen. Of Italian descent, Bardella was raised in a modest, working-class household. He studied geography at university but left to focus on politics full time.

Political Career

• National Rally (formerly Front National): Bardella joined at just 16 years old and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his media savvy and ability to appeal to younger voters.
• European Parliament: He was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2019, at age 23 — one of the youngest ever.
• Party Leadership: In November 2022, Bardella officially succeeded Marine Le Pen as party president, although she still plays a key role in its political direction.

Key Positions

• Strongly anti-immigration and critical of the European Union.
• Focuses heavily on issues like national identity, security, and “law and order.”
• Appeals to a younger demographic via social media and direct rhetoric.

Influence

• Bardella represents a new face of the far right in France — polished, telegenic, and tech-savvy.
• He’s seen as part of Marine Le Pen’s effort to “detoxify” the party’s image and make it more palatable to mainstream voters.
• He could play a major role in France’s 2027 presidential election, especially if Le Pen steps aside.