#jordan-bardella

#jordan-bardella

In a Paris courtroom, the first act of the 2027 French presidential election is already under way. On Tuesday Marine Le Pen began to answer judges' questions in her appeal against a conviction relating to the embezzlement of European parliament funds. If she wins, the far-right leader will be free to run for the presidency for a fourth time. If the sentence is upheld, her 30-year-old protege, Jordan Bardella, is almost certain to take her place in the race.

A French court on Friday handed a suspended sentence to a 74-year-old man who last year broke an egg on the head of the leader of France's main far-right party -- and possible presidential candidate -- Jordan Bardella. It also ordered the retired farmer, identified in court as Jean-Paul, to pay a €1,000 ($1,160) fine, as well as damages to Bardella of €500 for harming his image and €600 to contribute to his legal fees.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Bardella told the BBC's Nick Robinson he believed the "extremely resilient" Reform UK leader would become the UK's next prime minister. The 30-year-old French MEP is leading in opinion polls to win the first round of the next presidential election due in 2027. A Reform source said the two politicians discussed small boat crossings and energy policy, particularly nuclear energy. Farage has in the past kept his distance from NR, the successor party to the National Front (FN), formerly led by Marine Le Pen.

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