With a ruling by the Paris Court of Appeal, the balance of power within the Rassemblement National (RN) has changed abruptly. After the judges significantly softened the political consequences of Marine Le Pen’s conviction, the three-time presidential candidate sees her chances for the 2027 election as intact again. Only a few hours after the decision, she declared unequivocally that she intends to run again for the highest state office. This also answers a central question within the French right for the time being: Not party leader Jordan Bardella, but Marine Le Pen is to lead the RN into the decisive presidential election.
The end of speculation
For months Jordan Bardella was regarded as the likely presidential candidate of the Rassemblement National. The legal uncertainties surrounding Marine Le Pen had led many observers to assess that the party was preparing a generational change. The 30-year-old party chairman, with his high popularity—especially among younger voters—had become the face of a possible post-Le Pen era.
These speculations are, for now, ended by the recent court decision. Marine Le Pen made clear immediately after the ruling that she does not consider her political career to be over. Rather, she still sees herself as the figure who should crown the RN’s decades-long rise with an electoral victory in 2027.
For the party, this means a return to a familiar model: the historic leader once again assumes the role of presidential candidate, while Bardella is responsible for the organizational and strategic underpinnings of the campaign.
A clear division of labor
That is not to say Jordan Bardella has suffered a political defeat. Within the RN he remains indispensable. As party chairman, he still controls the party apparatus, is responsible for campaign organization and embodies the generational change that many supporters expect in the long term.
According to party leadership’s vision, the two politicians complement each other. Marine Le Pen brings experience from three presidential campaigns as well as her high name recognition among the French public. Bardella, in turn, appeals to younger voters, first-time voters and parts of the urban milieu and is seen as the party’s modern face.
In RN circles, a scenario increasingly being discussed connects to the institutional logic of the Fifth Republic: Marine Le Pen would run for the presidency, and Jordan Bardella could, in the event of a victory, lead the government as prime minister. Such a distribution of roles would combine both political strengths and at the same time avoid an open power struggle within the party.
Strategic advantages for the RN
For the Rassemblement National, this dual leadership offers several strategic advantages. Marine Le Pen has decades of experience in nationwide campaigns and has significantly shaped the process of normalizing the RN politically. Since taking over party leadership in 2011, she has consistently pursued the goal of changing the party’s image and making it attractive to broader voter groups.
Jordan Bardella complements this strategy through his strong presence on social media, his high recognition among younger generations, and his ability to present the RN as a modern protest party. Together they can appeal to different voter groups and combine their respective political strengths.
At the same time, the party preserves its capacity to act. The legal proceedings against Marine Le Pen are not yet finally concluded despite the Court of Appeal’s decision. If the Court of Cassation later evaluates parts of the judgment differently, Bardella would still be an established and polling-favored substitute candidate.
The generational change is postponed
The decision also makes clear that the expected generational change within the RN is, for now, not happening. Jordan Bardella is now among the best-known politicians in France and is widely seen as the future leader of the next generation. However, as long as Marine Le Pen realistically has a chance of reaching the presidency herself, she remains the party’s undisputed leader.
This does not weaken Bardella’s long-term prospects. Rather, he is gaining further experience at the head of the RN and could take on an even more important role in upcoming parliamentary elections or in the event of a change of government. Within the party he is still considered Marine Le Pen’s natural successor.
The presidential campaign is taking shape
With Marine Le Pen’s renewed candidacy, the French 2027 presidential campaign gains significant shape. The RN is once again relying on its best-known political figure, while Jordan Bardella takes on the role of key ally and potential head of government.
Whether this model will hold until the election still depends on the outstanding legal proceedings. Politically, however, Marine Le Pen has initially decided the leadership question clearly. The party presents itself as united and pursues a strategy meant to combine experience and renewal. For Jordan Bardella this means stepping back for now – but not from the RN’s center of power, rather into a role that continues to make him one of the decisive figures in French politics.
Author: P. Tiko