Marine Le Pen declared on Saturday that she was ready to support Jordan Bardella if she cannot compete for a fourth time in the presidential election. She will defend it "with great energy, great conviction and great confidence", she declared in front of activists gathered for a "country banquet" in Liévin, in Pas-de-Calais.

Published on: 07/04/2026 - 11:10 p.m. Modified on: 07/04/2026 - 11:14 p.m.

Marine Le Pen said she was potentially ready, Saturday July 4, to pass the torch to Jordan Bardella if the Paris Court of Appeal confirms her ineligibility. At the end of the judgment, the National Rally will give the name of its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

During a “country banquet” in Liévin, in Pas-de-Calais, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella displayed their cohesion. They swore “trust” and “friendship” in front of a small number of activists, yet in the heart of the electoral stronghold of the head of the National Rally.

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Marine Le Pen sat down at the foot of the stage, while the sound system played an electro remix of Dalida's "Die on Stage". One of his favorite songs, but with a particular resonance three days before the fateful date.

Behind, Jordan Bardella lingered for a few minutes to join her, taking many selfies with galvanized activists. Popular, no doubt, but always loyal to his mentor.

“I want to reiterate to her my total support, my total friendship, to tell her again that I am committed to her in politics, to see her elected President of the Republic. And I hope to see her elected President of the Republic in a few months,” he declared.

Called to replace her at short notice if the courts confirm the ineligibility of her "natural candidate", her successor at the head of the RN has registered as a direct lineage. “We are both engaged in politics out of duty”, and not “out of personal ambition”, with the same “sacrificial vocation of political commitment”, he stressed.

Following him, Marine Le Pen said she was ready to pass the torch "if justice prohibits (him) from running for president", and to support, "every day", "with great energy, great conviction and great confidence" her foal, for whom she also has "an immense friendship" and "an immense confidence" which he has "never betrayed".

Whatever happens on Tuesday, "we will never be discouraged, we will always fight, we will go to the end, until victory", she proclaimed in front of her supporters, in this mining area where she says she has "experienced everything" - "very beautiful victories" as well as "painful defeats".

“Be ready for this battle that is about to begin”

This image of unity was needed to silence the doubts born from the dissonant positions taken by the two champions of the nationalist camp, who must convince of the solidity of the "ticket" that they intend to present to voters whatever the decision of the court of appeal.

The atmosphere contrasted with the seriousness of the issue: chip shops, granitas and beer taps, with a playlist from the 80s in the background, under the setting sun of Pas-de-Calais.

The party had planned for 1,200 chairs, but some of them remained empty.

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Among the several hundred participants, Pascal, 60, explained bluntly that he had "not come for the party", but because "it's now or never for France to change" and that he believes in the strength of the Le Pen-Bardella "binomial".

Of course "it would be a shame if Marine couldn't go", recognizes Emilie, 33 years old elected in Lillers, but "aside from that the party is not abandoned, there is Jordan to take over".

In any case, for Nicolas, 54, "whatever the candidate, it's the ideas that take precedence" and "it's not just for the personalities that we're here."

There was, however, little mention of the program in the speeches of the tandem, who also took the opportunity to address a few barbs to their main adversaries, Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his "racialist policy" as well as Gabriel Attal and Édouard Philippe, "mini-Macrons". The latter will hold his first campaign meeting on Sunday in Paris.

No matter the name of the candidate, the fight is on. “Be ready for this battle that is about to start,” warned Jordan Bardella.

“It is not because we have good polls that we should go to the election quietly,” warned Marine Le Pen. The leader of the far right concluded by quoting the “Song of the Partisans”, anthem of the Resistance: “Friend if you fall, a friend comes out of the shadows in your place”.

With AFP

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