French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political future is on the line as a Paris appeals court rules on her eligibility to stand in the 2027 presidential election. If she’s barred, she would be replaced by her 30-year-old protégé Jordan Bardella, the current president of the National Rally party.
Far-right party National Rally president Jordan Bardella is embraced by far-right leader Marine Le Pen at a rally in Lievin, northern France, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
Far-right party National Rally president Jordan Bardella speaks during a rally in Lievin, northern France, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, left, accompanied by far-right party National Rally president Jordan Bardella, center, speaks during a rally in Lievin, northern France, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)
PARIS (AP) — If a French appeals court on Tuesday prevents Marine Le Pen from making what would be her fourth and likely strongest tilt for the country’s presidency, she has groomed a replacement who has already started to try on her mantle for size.
