Bardella denies antisemitic messages, files defamation suits against Mediapart
Bardella denies antisemitic messages, files lawsuits; voters remain skeptical of his denial.
Event / Politics
French Presidential Election 2027
Coverage of the 2027 French presidential election campaign, including candidate announcements, policy positions, and political developments across the political spectrum.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
55 articles0 articles
2026-08-03 to 2026-10-31 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Mar, 12:07 UTC
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What happened
About 68% of RN members cast ballots in the internal leadership vote
Around 68% of the party's 112,000 members took part in the internal vote held from 21 September to 22 October 2026. The party communicated these figures on Friday 23 October 2026.
Mediapart publishes investigations attributing antisemitic writings to Jordan Bardella
Mediapart published investigations attributing to Jordan Bardella antisemitic writings allegedly contained in private conversations when he was 17 years old.
Marine Le Pen's campaign states she will not shift toward a more security-focused discourse
Marine Le Pen's campaign states that she will not change her discourse to be more security-focused, nor escalate rhetoric on restoring order, despite the violence of 17 October 2026.
Tens of thousands of left-wing counter-protesters are expected in Orléans during the congress
Tens of thousands of left-wing counter-demonstrators are expected in Orléans during the Rassemblement national congress, which takes place amid social tensions.
Jordan Bardella is the sole candidate for re-election as Rassemblement national president
Jordan Bardella is the only candidate for re-election as president of the Rassemblement national at the party congress in Orléans. Formal proclamation of the results is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and his re-election is expected given the absence of competition.
421 candidates stand for seats on the RN National Council
421 people declared candidacy for the Rassemblement national's National Council, comprising 307 men and 114 women. The 100 best-elected candidates will sit on the council. Jordan Bardella will hold ex officio membership as president and may co-opt 20 additional members. Marine Le Pen is not a candidate in this internal vote.
Marine Le Pen leads voting intentions for the 2027 presidential election
Marine Le Pen leads voting intentions for the 2027 presidential election. She has been a presidential candidate four times.
Jordan Bardella has consistently disputed the Mediapart allegations
Jordan Bardella has consistently disputed the allegations published by Mediapart concerning antisemitic writings attributed to him when he was 17 years old.
Éric Ciotti is scheduled to speak as opening speaker at the RN congress
Éric Ciotti, leader of the Union des droites pour la République (UDR), is scheduled to speak as an opening speaker at the Rassemblement national congress in Orléans.
Violence occurred on 17 October 2026 during a mobilization against the cost of living
Violence occurred on 17 October 2026 on the margins of a mobilization against rising living costs ('la vie chère') in France.
Jordan Bardella is scheduled to address immediate issues and purchasing power measures
Jordan Bardella is scheduled to address immediate issues, including the aftermath of the weekend demonstrations and violence, and to outline measures to support purchasing power at the congress.
Jordan Bardella was first elected RN president in November 2022 with 85% of votes
Jordan Bardella was first elected president of the Rassemblement national in November 2022, receiving 85% of votes against Perpignan mayor Louis Aliot. He had served as interim leader from September 2021. At that time the party had 36,000 members, and 71.5% of them voted.
Marine Le Pen is scheduled to launch her 2027 presidential campaign in Orléans on Sunday
Marine Le Pen is scheduled to hold a rally in Orléans on Sunday 25 October 2026, with around 10,000 attendees expected. The event is set to formally launch her campaign for the 2027 presidential election.
Marion Maréchal is scheduled to attend the congress without speaking
Marion Maréchal is scheduled to attend the Rassemblement national congress in Orléans. She is not scheduled to speak, and she is expected to express her support for Marine Le Pen at a later occasion.
Marine Le Pen continues to present Jordan Bardella as her future Prime Minister
Marine Le Pen continues to present Jordan Bardella as the Prime Minister she would appoint if she wins the presidential election.
Marine Le Pen would receive 70% against Jean-Luc Mélenchon in a second-round poll scenario
In a second-round scenario tested in the Harris Interactive poll conducted 19-21 October 2026, Marine Le Pen received 70% of votes against Jean-Luc Mélenchon for the 2027 French presidential election.
Harris Interactive poll for M6/RTL on 2027 presidential voting intentions published on 23 October 2026
A Harris Interactive poll for M6 and RTL on voting intentions for the 2027 French presidential election was published on 23 October 2026. Fieldwork was conducted online from 19 to 21 October 2026 among 2,094 registered voters aged 18 and over, using the quota method, with a stated margin of error of 1 to 2.3 points.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon qualifies for the second round in all tested scenarios in poll
In the Harris Interactive poll conducted 19-21 October 2026, Jean-Luc Mélenchon reached the second round in every tested first-round scenario for the 2027 French presidential election.
Gap between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon widened by 3 points since previous poll wave
Compared with the previous wave of the Harris Interactive barometer published in early October 2026, the second-round gap between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon widened by 3 points.
David Lisnard polls at 7-8% ahead of Bruno Retailleau at 4-5% in first round
In the Harris Interactive poll conducted 19-21 October 2026, David Lisnard received 7-8% of first-round voting intentions, ahead of Bruno Retailleau at 4-5%, in the two scenarios where Lisnard was tested.
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2 alternative perspectives
Mélenchon expands autumn campaign across strategic French cities
Mélenchon expands autumn campaign across strategic cities while strengthening rural organizing.
France targets five percent budget deficit amid campaign fiscal pressures
France targets 5% deficit in 2027 budget facing National Rally opposition and rising debt pressures.
Mélenchon threatens prosecution as central banker defends monetary independence
Mélenchon threatens treason prosecution; Moulin defends central bank independence from political interference.
Le Pen defends Bardella amid antisemitic writings controversy
Le Pen publicly defends Bardella against antisemitic writings allegations as National Rally maintains polling lead.
Bardella rejects budget support, complicating fiscal governance ahead of election
National Rally leader Bardella rejects current 2027 budget support amid France's escalating fiscal crisis.
Le Pen unveils ambitious economic platform targeting 140 billion euros in savings
National Rally's economic platform targets 140 billion euros in savings through tax elimination, pension reform, and reduced EU contributions.
France's media regulator reviews podcast rules ahead of 2027 election
France's media regulator is reviewing podcast regulation as digital creators gain election influence.
Philippe proposes sixty-five retirement age with sector exemptions
Philippe proposes sixty-five retirement age, forty-five contribution years, with exemptions for difficult careers and capitalization components.
Philippe outlines pension reform raising retirement age to sixty-five
Philippe proposes raising France's retirement age to 65 with targeted exemptions and capitalization components.
Mediapart publishes alleged antisemitic writings attributed to Bardella
Mediapart reports alleged antisemitic writings from Bardella; he denies them as forgeries.
National Rally achieves historic Senate milestone with first parliamentary group
National Rally forms first Senate parliamentary group, expanding institutional presence before 2027 election.