French far-right politician Le Pen says Bardella ‘obvious’ presidential candidate if her conviction stands

Speaking to RTL radio, Le Pen said Bardella’s candidacy would be “obvious,” describing it as “a very difficult decision but one that is necessary in the interest of the country.”

Le Pen, who is appealing a previous conviction, reiterated her determination to “defend my rights and my innocence to the very end,” adding that she plans to take her case to the Court of Cassation if the Paris Court of Appeal upholds her sentence.

“The plan is very clear and all eventualities are covered,” she said.

“If I’m prevented from running but the Court of Cassation rules in my favor three or four months later, it will be too late to run a proper presidential campaign.”

The far-right politician praised Bardella, 29, who led the RN list to a strong showing in the latest European Parliament elections.

“I think Jordan has the qualities to hold any position that requires willpower, conviction and an unbridled love for the country,” she said.

Responding to critics who consider Bardella too inexperienced to become president at 31, Le Pen noted that “the history of France is made up of people who, very young, managed to change its course.”

Le Pen is scheduled to be retried before the Paris Court of Appeal from Jan. 13 to Feb. 12, 2026.

In the initial ruling, she was sentenced to four years in prison, two of them under house arrest with an electronic tag, fined €100,000 (approximately $115,822), and banned from holding public office for five years, effective immediately.

Prosecutors accuse Le Pen of orchestrating a scheme to pay National Front staff with European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016, amounting to €4 million ($4.6 million).

If upheld, the conviction would bar her from seeking the presidency in 2027, leaving Bardella as the National Rally’s likely standard-bearer.