PARIS, 5 December (Reuters) – As French lawmakers ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government in a dramatic vote on Wednesday, another political story was unfolding a few kilometres away. Outside a café in northern Paris, thousands of admirers queued in the biting cold for a chance to meet Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old rising star of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN).
Bardella, a European Parliament lawmaker and Le Pen’s protégé, has been at the forefront of France’s far-right resurgence. While his RN colleagues voted in the National Assembly to bring down the government over a controversial 2025 budget bill, Bardella was signing copies of his debut book, What I’m Looking For.
A star on the rise
Describing his book as “the one they don’t want you to read,” Bardella is capitalising on a wave of political discontent. His promotional tour, coinciding with France’s second political crisis in six months, has drawn large crowds and stoked enthusiasm for his brand of populist nationalism.
“I bought his book on the first day and read it straight away,” said Pierre Le Camus, a 25-year-old former RN parliamentary assistant waiting in line. “I’m here to support him in everything he does.”
Though critics have dismissed the book as “devoid of introspection” and “a mere marketing tool,” sales have been impressive. Nearly 60,000 copies have been sold since its release on 9 November, according to Europe 1.
A platform built on security and immigration
Many of Bardella’s supporters, braving the freezing weather to meet him, expressed concerns about rising crime and immigration, issues central to his political agenda.
Eric Berthelot, an 18-year-old from a disadvantaged Paris suburb, recounted growing up surrounded by drugs, weapons, and violence. “A friend of mine was stabbed to death—an innocent bystander caught in gang violence,” he said. “France welcomes all the misery of the world, but those who arrive don’t respect our culture. That must change, and Bardella is the man to do it.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Louis de Lassagne, a 19-year-old student from a small affluent town. He pointed to the high-profile murder of Philippine, a young woman allegedly killed by a Moroccan man awaiting deportation. The RN seized on the case as evidence for stricter immigration policies.
Bardella’s message resonates
Bardella’s background in the diverse and economically challenged Seine-Saint-Denis department has become a cornerstone of his narrative. He often references his upbringing as the foundation for his tough stance on immigration and law enforcement.
“I know the ghetto,” said Ismael Habri, a 27-year-old janitor sporting a badge supporting former U.S. President Donald Trump. “Bardella understands what it’s like. France needs hope and sovereignty, and he can deliver it.”
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The RN’s role in the government’s fall
Marine Le Pen, Bardella’s political mentor, played a pivotal role in toppling Barnier’s government. She united her far-right RN with leftist factions to oppose a budget bill they argued disproportionately burdened working-class citizens. The move has not only destabilised France’s leadership but also positioned the RN as a significant player in shaping the country’s political future.
A nation in flux
France now faces a period of deep uncertainty. The political upheaval has left the country without a stable government, raising concerns about legislative paralysis. While President Emmanuel Macron retains his mandate until 2027, his weakened position has sparked calls for his resignation.
Amid this instability, Bardella’s prominence continues to grow. His ability to connect with voters across diverse demographics, from working-class suburbs to affluent small towns, underscores his potential as a future leader of the RN—and perhaps of France itself.
As his supporters chanted outside the café in northern Paris, one thing was clear: Jordan Bardella’s moment in the sun has only just begun. Whether his rise heralds lasting change or further polarisation for France remains to be seen.
