French hard‑right leader Bardella sues over alleged antisemitic remarks

Tue Sep 29 2026 16:15:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Bardella, president of France's National Rally, threatens libel action after Mediapart publishes claims of antisemitic comments he allegedly made as a youth.

Jordan Bardella, the 31‑year‑old president of France's National Rally, has announced plans to sue Mediapart over a story that accuses him of making antisemitic remarks when he was a teenager. Mediapart claims to have authenticated the alleged comments, citing years of investigation and witness testimony, but Bardella dismisses the allegations as a political attack designed to derail his party’s campaign. Marine Le Pen, the RN’s presidential candidate, has publicly defended Bardella, calling the allegations fabricated. The case highlights the growing tensions within the French far‑right as it distances itself from its extremist past while grappling with scrutiny over its traditional views.

Bardella has announced a libel suit against Mediapart following the publication of an article that alleges he uttered antisemitic remarks in 2013.

Mediapart says it spent months reviewing dozens of written conversations allegedly from Bardella’s youth, authenticating them through witness statements and a larger documentary base. The alleged remarks include phrases such as "All banks are owned by Jews" and calls for a "new world order dominated by Israel." Bardella insists the story is fabricated and a political maneuver to destabilise the National Rally’s campaign ahead of the presidential election.

Marine Le Pen has defended Bardella, describing the claims as "weird" and likely a forgery, while corruption allegations within the party are brought up by former members purged for antisemitic views. The national party’s leadership maintains that it has purged extremist elements and now positions itself as a shield for Jewish communities.

The incident precedes a poll that shows Le Pen leading in the first round of the election, with expectations that she will secure a significant majority in the second round over radical left candidate Jean‑Luc Mélenchon. Amid her rising popularity, the RN’s image crisis may intensify if the alleged remarks become credible.