The far-right Rassemblement National has begun positioning itself for France’s 2027 presidential election, while the appeal ruling for Marine Le Pen is still pending. She faces the risk of being barred from the race because of a case linked to the misuse of European Union funds.
If Le Pen is not allowed to take part in the election, Jordan Bardella is seen as the name who would represent RN. Polls suggest that both Le Pen and Bardella would finish in first place in the first round, making the prospect of an RN victory closer than ever before.
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According to analysts, the expansion of electoral support for the party is tied to its effort to move away from its former image as a radical force and present itself as an alternative prepared to govern.
On foreign policy as well, RN appears to be reconsidering its stance toward Germany. Unlike in previous periods, Bardella has spoken in appreciative terms about Chancellor Friedrich Merz, underscoring the existence of a “common ideological basis,” especially regarding immigration and opposition to some EU climate policies.
Rassemblement National has also kept its distance from Germany’s AfD, which it sees as too radical. However, observers of political affairs warn that an RN triumph could create friction between Paris and Berlin, particularly over energy, the EU budget and the process of European integration.
Although these disagreements may emerge, experts do not foresee damage to Franco-German cooperation. As an example, they cite Giorgia Meloni’s government in Italy, which, after taking power, became a functional partner for EU countries.
