Bardella Backs Le Pen, Opens Door to Second‑Round Pacts in Municipal Push

Overview

• On campaign stops in Agde and Carcassonne, Jordan Bardella reiterated his support and friendship for Marine Le Pen and said, "until further notice I am preparing to be head of government."
• He signaled that the RN could negotiate case‑by‑case union lists at the second round to block far‑left wins, citing common ground on security, public finances, and laïcité.
• Bardella set the objective for March 15 and 22 to "win a maximum of communes" to demonstrate that change can start locally without waiting for the presidential race.
• A recent Odoxa poll published by Le Figaro found that 69% of RN sympathizers consider Bardella a better presidential candidate than Le Pen.
• Agde is targeted as winnable for the RN after longtime LR mayor Gilles d’Ettore resigned in 2024 over a corruption case, with Bardella rallying support for candidate Aurélien Lopez‑Liguori.