“We all share one thing — we’re her fans,” one of Marine Le Pen’s closest allies recently remarked.
Jordan Bardella is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Le Pen as the far-right presidential candidate. However, questions remain about whether he can truly fill her shoes and unite a party long centered around the Le Pen dynasty.
Unlike Le Pen, Bardella lacks a deep well of political experience or the kind of commanding presence typically required for a presidential campaign. His credibility took a hit recently after a scrapped appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., raising concerns about his readiness to handle the pressures of a national race.
Bardella’s rise has often been attributed to his close relationship with Le Pen — his youthful image and polished media persona offering a striking contrast to her more seasoned and serious style. But there are doubts about his ability to stand out on his own, particularly against more established figures on the right such as Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau or Les Républicains leader Eric Ciotti.
Retailleau could seek to distance himself from the government to fuel a presidential run aimed at capturing Le Pen’s voter base before they fully rally behind Bardella. That scenario becomes more likely if Le Pen becomes embroiled in a prolonged legal battle that damages her public standing.
According to an Ifop poll released Sunday, Bardella polls similarly to Le Pen in a hypothetical first round of the 2027 presidential election. However, in a potential runoff against a centrist opponent, he lags slightly behind his political mentor, highlighting the challenges he may face if he hopes to keep the far-right’s momentum going without her at the helm.
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