Bardella re-elected as leader of France’s RN
The sole candidate received 98.98 per cent of the vote at the party congress in Orléans.
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Jordan Bardella was re-elected chairman of France’s Rassemblement National on Saturday. At the congress in Orléans, he received 98.98 per cent of the votes cast, remaining at the head of the party as it prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
Bardella was the only candidate for the party leadership. His re-election was therefore almost certain in advance, but the result does give the party leadership a formal mandate for the campaign ahead. The RN is holding the congress on 24 and 25 October in Orléans.
The party is trying to present itself as an alternative to France’s established parties. According to Le Monde, security is once again at the centre of the RN’s message, partly following unrest during recent demonstrations. At the same time, Le Monde says the party is taking account of the complicated relationship between Bardella and Marine Le Pen.
Le Pen is the candidate for the French presidency and remains the RN’s most important national figure. Bardella is regarded as her possible future prime minister if she wins the election. His re-election does not change that division of roles, but it does confirm his position within the party.
The congress is taking place in a tense political environment. Both a party gathering and protests against the RN had been announced in Orléans. French authorities deployed extra police for the broader demonstrations; figures on the size and course of individual gatherings may differ between sources.
For Dutch readers, the development is relevant because France is an important EU and NATO partner. A strong position for the RN could affect the French debate on migration, security, European cooperation and support for Ukraine. The result of the party congress does not in itself predict who will win the presidential election.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Bardella was the only candidate and was re-elected RN chairman with 98.98 per cent of the vote.
- Marine Le Pen is the RN’s presidential candidate.
- The RN held its congress in Orléans during a period of protests and political tension.
- The 2027 presidential election has yet to take place.
Left
Arguments This view holds that the re-election confirms the normalisation of a party that places immigration and security at the centre of its platform. The response should consist of social investment, protection for minorities and a clear democratic boundary against the far right.
Values Equality, inclusivity, social security and protection for minorities.
Consequences A robust policy response could win back voters, but further polarisation could make political debate more confrontational.
Centre
Arguments The RN should be judged on its programme and administrative feasibility, not only on its reputation. At the same time, institutions and the rule of law must be safeguarded, and other parties must convince voters with workable policies.
Values Democratic legitimacy, governability, the rule of law and political responsibility.
Consequences An institutional approach could normalise the debate without automatically implying cooperation, but it could also be seen as underestimating the risks.
Right
Arguments This view holds that many French people want change in the areas of security, migration and national decision-making. Established parties should address those concerns seriously rather than dismissing RN voters.
Values Order, national sovereignty, security and direct representation of voters.
Consequences A tougher course could reduce pressure on established parties, but it could also clash with European agreements and constitutional safeguards.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The result and vote share are based on Franceinfo, and the context of the congress has been checked against Le Monde and AFP background reporting. Predictions about the presidential election are explicitly presented as uncertain.
- confirmed Jordan Bardella was re-elected RN chairman on 24 October with 98.98 per cent of the vote. — Franceinfo reports the result of the party congress. source
- confirmed Bardella was the only candidate for the leadership. — Franceinfo and the earlier AFP report published via Le Parisien state that he was the only candidate. source
- confirmed Marine Le Pen remains the RN’s presidential candidate and Bardella is regarded as a possible prime minister. — Le Monde describes this division of roles in the run-up to the congress. source
Editor's note
The re-election and vote share come from Franceinfo; Le Monde confirms the congress, the party context and the division of roles with Marine Le Pen. The consequences for the presidential election remain uncertain.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „frankrijk jordan bardella”
- Trouw — „frankrijk jordan bardella”
- NRC — „frankrijk jordan bardella”