Key facts
- National Rally president Jordan Bardella visited Poland to seek new allies for his vision of Europe.
- Bardella met with leaders of the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS) and the Confederation Freedom and Independence party.
- The visit is seen as a step towards building a broader coalition of right-wing and conservative parties in the EU.
- Bardella aims to shape the future of the European Union and is preparing for a potential French presidential run.
- Historically, relations between the National Rally and PiS have been complicated by differing stances on Russia.
Jordan Bardella, the leader of France's far-right National Rally, is undertaking a tour of Poland to forge new alliances with nationalist and conservative parties. The visit, described by Bardella as a key step in his European outreach, aims to build a coalition to shape the European Union according to his vision.
Bardella met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki and leaders of the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), including Jarosław Kaczyński, and Krzysztof Bosak of the Confederation Freedom and Independence party. These meetings are part of Bardella's strategy to find partners for the 'Europe of tomorrow,' especially after the loss of Viktor Orbán as a high-profile ally.
Historically, relations between the National Rally and PiS have been strained due to the French party's past perceived closeness to Russia, a sensitive issue in Poland. However, Bardella has worked to distance himself from pro-Kremlin figures within his party. He also noted common ground with Germany's Friedrich Merz on issues like curbing migration.
Bardella's efforts come as he prepares for a potential run for the French presidency next year. His political future may also be influenced by a French appeals court decision on July 7 regarding his mentor Marine Le Pen's convictions. Bardella has also expressed support for the EU's new Returns Regulation, which allows for easier deportation of rejected asylum seekers.