In a wave of controversy just weeks before France’s presidential election, the president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, accused a left‑wing news site of publishing fabricated antisemitic remarks. Mediapart, citing months of investigation, released what it described as “written conversations” from 2013 that allegedly portray Bardella using classic antisemitic tropes.
The allegations include statements such as “All the banks are owned by Jews” and claims that “Israel seeks a new world order with Jerusalem as its capital.” Bardella has already prepared a legal defence and said he will file a libel complaint, claiming the story is a political weapon aimed at undermining his leadership within the RN.
Marine Le Pen, the RN’s presidential candidate, dismissed the allegations as a “forgery” and praised the party’s effort to distance itself from its extremist past. She affirmed her confidence in Bardella, saying the accusations are part of a broader “total war” against the RN.
Political analysts note that the National Rally’s polling continues to climb, with the latest surveys showing Le Pen leading potential opponents by a wide margin. Meanwhile, the RN’s leaders have highlighted the party’s renewed focus on issues such as security, immigration, and economic sovereignty, portraying itself as a safeguard for all French citizens, including minority communities.
The controversy raises broader concerns about how extremist rhetoric is still woven into the fabric of European politics. It underscores the importance of vigilance and truth in protecting vulnerable groups from hate and misinformation. The case will be closely followed as the legal process unfolds and as the election campaign proceeds.
