Bardella Proposes Halving France’s Net EU Contribution as He Seeks New Nationalist Alliances

Overview

• Jordan Bardella told Politico on Monday, June 15, 2026, that he would seek to halve France’s net contribution to the EU budget if he wins the presidency.
• He said he will press the European Commission to cut its operating spending to “return money” to France as part of broader demands on the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework.
• Bardella plans outreach to other nationalist parties, including scheduled meetings with Poland’s Law and Justice figures in Warsaw and references to convergences with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
• On defense he rejected leaving NATO but advocated exiting NATO’s integrated command to regain national room for maneuver, and he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump as erratic while rejecting U.S. campaign support.
• Those proposals are declarations of intent tied to Bardella’s 2027 campaign and would require agreement by the Commission and unanimity among EU member states to change the MFF or EU institutions, a high procedural and political hurdle.