Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally (RN), has expressed substantial agreement with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s critical assessment of Europe’s direction, particularly regarding immigration policies and cultural preservation. In an exclusive BBC Political Thinking podcast interview, the 30-year-old political phenomenon addressed his party’s positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Bardella characterized Trump’s recently published National Security Strategy as validating concerns about ‘civilizational erasure’ in Europe, attributing this primarily to decades of lenient migration policies. ‘Mass immigration and governmental laxity over the past 30 years have fundamentally destabilized European societies, particularly France,’ Bardella asserted, while simultaneously emphasizing that Europe should not become ‘subservient to any major power.’
The interview revealed significant developments within France’s far-right movement. Current polling indicates Bardella leads presidential preferences with 44% support, potentially positioning him to succeed Marine Le Pen should her legal challenges prevent her candidacy. Le Pen faces exclusion from the 2027 race pending an appeal against her conviction for EU fund embezzlement. Bardella dismissed suggestions of internal tension, stating they campaign together based on ‘trust and friendship.’
Addressing the RN’s controversial history under founder Jean-Marie Le Pen—convicted multiple times for Holocaust denial—Bardella distanced his leadership from past extremism. ‘I combat caricatures of my political movement,’ he stated, claiming significant Jewish support for the RN as a ‘bulwark against extremism.’
On policy matters, Bardella pledged a national referendum on immigration if elected, despite constitutional limitations requiring parliamentary approval for such a measure. His platform includes closing radical mosques, expelling ‘hate preachers,’ and implementing stricter assimilation requirements. Notably, Bardella—whose own parents are of immigrant origin—distinguished between those who ‘reject republican institutions’ and immigrants who ’embrace French language, culture, and values.’
Economically, Bardella described France as ‘sick’ from excessive taxation and regulation, promising to remove ‘shackles’ on growth. His foreign policy stance shows nuance regarding Ukraine: while recognizing Russia as a ‘multidimensional threat,’ he opposes troop deployments favored by Macron’s government, warning such actions could trigger escalation given nuclear capabilities.
Responding to concerns about his youth and political inexperience compared to President Macron’s governmental background, Bardella remarked: ‘I’d rather be told today is too soon than tomorrow is too late.’