France’s Far-Right Leader Jordan Bardella Backs Most US Warnings on Europe, Vows to End Mass Immigration

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), has expressed agreement “for the most part” with US President Donald Trump’s recent National Security Strategy, which warned of Europe facing “civilisational erasure” amid mass migration and policy laxity.

Speaking to the BBC’s Nick Robinson on the Political Thinking podcast, Bardella praised Trump’s “appeal to American pride” but stressed that Europe must remain independent and not “subservient to any major power.” He described a “wind of freedom and national pride” sweeping Western democracies and argued that mass immigration over the past three decades has disrupted the balance of French and European societies.

“If tomorrow I am the head of government, France will no longer be the target of mass immigration,” Bardella told the BBC.

The 30-year-old politician leads opinion polls for the 2027 French presidential election, currently ahead of Marine Le Pen, whose candidacy is in doubt following a conviction for embezzlement of EU funds. Le Pen faces a five-year ban, though an appeal early next year could allow her to stand. Bardella emphasised unity with Le Pen, saying: “I will fight by her side so she can win the appeal… we will campaign together, hand-in-hand.”

Bardella, who became RN leader after its rebranding from the National Front founded by Jean-Marie Le Pen, sought to distance himself from the party’s extremist past. While the RN has transformed into a decisive force in French politics, the shadow of its founder’s controversial remarks on race and Holocaust denial still looms.

The RN became the largest single force in the French parliament following snap elections in June 2024, although an alliance of left-wing parties secured governance. Bardella’s rise signals the continuing strength of far-right politics in France as the 2027 presidential contest approaches.