Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) and current front-runner for the 2027 presidential election, has pledged that his first official trip as president would be to Brussels to confront what he describes as "excessive" German influence within the European Union.

 

France’s Bardella vows showdown over German influence in the EU

Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) and current front-runner for the 2027 presidential election, has pledged that his first official trip as president would be to Brussels to confront what he describes as "excessive" German influence within the European Union.

 

Key Points of the Stated "Showdown"

Bardella’s strategy marks a shift from seeking a "Frexit" (leaving the EU) to reforming the bloc from within by prioritizing French national interests:

 

Challenging Germany's Role: Bardella has explicitly criticized Germany's purported dominance over EU institutions and regulations. He argues that existing EU norms often favor German interests while harming French workers, farmers, and businesses.

National Sovereignty First: He envisions a "Europe of Nations" where member states regain control over critical issues like immigration, energy, and border security.

Economic Interests: Bardella intends to push for a significant reduction in EU bureaucracy and regulations, which he claims act as an "additional layer of bureaucracy" weakening French economic actors.

Immediate Action: By making Brussels his first destination, Bardella intends to send a clear signal that a National Rally presidency would represent a "decisive break" from the tradition of the Franco-German engine that has historically led the EU.

 

Broader Political Context

Polling Strength: Bardella is currently polling as high as 38% for the first round of the 2027 election, making him the clear favorite to reach the final run-off.

Internal EU Relations: This "confrontational" stance is likely to create significant friction with the European Commission and Berlin, especially regarding shared defense projects and the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Strategic Distancing: Notably, while attacking German influence in Brussels, Bardella's party has also cut ties with the German far-right party AfD (Alternative for Germany) in the European Parliament to soften its image for moderate voters.