Key facts
- Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally, is expanding his international role.
- The move is intended to reassure global markets about the party's economic policies.
- Bardella recently spoke at the Reform UK party congress and attended the Ambrosetti Forum.
- He plans to conduct 10 interviews with international media outlets.
- Bardella's strategy mirrors that of Giorgia Meloni before she became Italian Prime Minister.
French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is increasing his international engagements as part of a strategic effort to reassure global markets about the National Rally party's economic platform. An aide indicated that Bardella's recent speech at the Reform UK party congress and his attendance at the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy mark the beginning of a concerted campaign to leverage his profile.
Bardella is also slated to give 10 interviews to international media outlets in the coming days. The aide emphasized Bardella's long-standing focus on the party's international credibility. Bardella, who has risen rapidly within the National Rally, has been credited with bringing a polished professionalism to the party and led it to significant victories in the 2019 and 2024 European elections, currently heading the Patriots group in the European Parliament.
While Marine Le Pen is the front-runner for the upcoming presidential election, Bardella previously attempted to attract fiscally conservative voters with a more market-friendly platform. However, with Le Pen cleared to run for president, she has signaled that fiscal discipline will not compromise her core voter promises, such as lowering the retirement age to 62 at an estimated annual cost of €9 billion.
Bardella is now reportedly aiming for a role similar to the one Giorgia Meloni played before becoming Italian prime minister in 2022, having closely observed Meloni's successful campaign to reassure international institutions and financial markets. This strategic division of roles also addresses Le Pen's past challenges with international travel and the lingering negative associations with her family name, particularly her father Jean-Marie Le Pen's history of controversial statements and convictions.