Far-Right France : Le Pen, Bardella and the Future of Europe

The story behind the unstoppable rise of the French far right—from the woes of French society to the Trumpian world order. France’s next presidential election is due by 2027, if not sooner; and its far-right Rassemblement National is on course to win it. Such a victory would trigger shockwaves internationally, with profound implications for allies and neighbours including the UK and the US. Founded by the antisemitic Jean-Marie Le Pen, the RN—previously the Front National—was confined to the fringes until his daughter Marine took over in 2011. She ‘detoxified’ the party’s image, bringing in telegenic young protégé Jordan Bardella as the modern face of the RN. Together, they have focused on voters’ economic grievances while condemning ‘mass immigration’ of Muslims and foreign ‘criminals’—a strategy starkly reminiscent of Donald Trump’s own route, twice, into the White House. Right-wing nationalists were already gaining ground worldwide and across the EU before Trump’s re-election gave them another boost. Now France—at the core of the European project—is the far right’s next great prize. In both rounds of 2024’s parliamentary elections, the RN won more votes than any other party. In vivid, sharp prose, Victor Mallet explains how the French far right has won over the country and become a government in waiting—one preparing to transform France, Europe and the world.