Bardella Denies Antisemitic Allegations as Le Pen Defends Him Amid 2027 Campaign

Key points

• Mediapart published allegations that Jordan Bardella made antisemitic comments in 2013, including claims that 'all the banks are owned by Jews' and that 'the Jew has to dominate other peoples.'
• Bardella denied the remarks, calling them a fabrication and 'total war' against his party, and announced a libel lawsuit against Mediapart.
• Marine Le Pen defended Bardella, stating the allegations 'seem so weird that they can only be a forgery,' and expressed 'absolute confidence' in him.
• The allegations threaten the National Rally’s 'de-demonization' strategy, which includes courting Jewish voters and positioning the party as a 'shield' against Islamic extremism.
• Left-wing politicians and Jewish community leaders, including CRIF head Yonathan Arfi, called for Bardella’s resignation, arguing the comments undermine the party’s claims of reform.

Background

The National Rally has historically struggled with antisemitic roots, including its founder Jean-Marie Le Pen’s Holocaust denial. Marine Le Pen expelled her father in 2015 and rebranded the party in 2018 to distance it from its past. Bardella, her protégé, visited Israel in 2025 to signal the party’s new stance. The scandal arises as Le Pen leads polls for the 2027 presidential election and the party recently formed its first Senate caucus.

How outlets are covering it

AP News and The Guardian emphasize the political fallout and the threat to the National Rally’s 'de-demonization' strategy, noting the party’s efforts to court Jewish voters. BBC highlights Bardella’s accusation of 'total war' and Le Pen’s defense, framing the incident as a potential destabilization of the 2027 campaign. All sources agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis: AP and The Guardian focus on the historical context and Jewish community reactions, while BBC stresses the political maneuvering and polling data showing Le Pen’s lead.

Why it matters

The allegations could undermine the National Rally’s bid for the 2027 presidency by exposing a contradiction between its current pro-Jewish stance and its historical antisemitic roots. If substantiated, the comments could damage the party’s credibility and electoral prospects, particularly among Jewish voters and centrist opponents.

What to watch

Bardella’s libel suit against Mediapart will proceed, and the political debate over his resignation will continue. The 2027 presidential campaign will likely be influenced by the scandal, with opponents using it to challenge the National Rally’s claims of reform. Le Pen’s campaign will need to manage the fallout while maintaining its lead in the polls.