Le Pen Stands by Top Ally Bardella as Anti-Semitism Claims Hit Star of French Far Right
Le Pen said the allegations will not weaken her ally as Bardella denies the messages, files defamation complaints and faces renewed scrutiny over his past.
- On Saturday, French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen expressed "total confidence" in ally Jordan Bardella despite fresh allegations he sent antisemitic messages in 2013.
- Investigative website Mediapart published screenshots Thursday of messages allegedly sent by Bardella as a teenager, featuring slurs against Jews and Zionists, which he dismisses as "crude fakes."
- Bardella announced two legal complaints for defamation and forgery, declaring the allegations mark "the beginnings of a total war" meant to derail the National Rally's presidential campaign.
- Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin questioned whether France wants "a prime minister who is not only anti-Semitic but also lies," while campaign sources claim the controversy has not dented Le Pen's 30% to 35% polling support.
- Sociologist Erwan Lecoeur suggested Le Pen backed Bardella to avoid alienating voters, though some party members reportedly fear the allegations could eventually contaminate the presidential candidate.
54 Articles
54 Articles
The right-wing national race model relies on Jordan Bardella as a voice carrier. Now an anti-Semitism scandal damages its reputation. For Marine Le Pen, the problem is getting bigger and bigger.
Several RN executives block behind the president of the party targeted by a "Mediapart" investigation into anti-Semitic writings attributed to him, while Marine Le Pen renewed his confidence on Saturday night.
French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said in a statement released Saturday that she has full confidence in her closest ally Jordan Bardella, who was accused by an investigative journalism website of spreading anti-Semitic statements in 2013.
France's Le Pen says has 'complete confidence' in Bardella
French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said she had full confidence in her top ally Jordan Bardella, accused by an investigative news website of making antisemitic comments in 2013, in a statement published Saturday.
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