Cliff Notes – Bardella brands her conviction a dark day for country
- Jordan Bardella criticises the judicial system following Marine Le Pen’s conviction, referring to it as a “dark day” for France and a wound to patriotic citizens.
- Despite his incendiary rhetoric, Bardella later affirmed his respect for the separation of powers, declaring that his party will not pressure democracy.
- Bardella’s speech included typical far-right themes, targeting immigration and leftist policies, while also suggesting a future for the National Rally beyond Le Pen.
Marine Le Pen addresses rally – as Bardella brands her conviction ‘a dark day’ for country | France News
Jordan Bardella, the young darling of the French far-right, is on stage speaking.
He’s said the people of France should be able to vote without “intermediaries”.
This seems to be his description of the judge who found Marine Le Pen guilty – and received death threats subsequently.
The 29-year-old described the 29 March – when Marine Le Pen was convicted – as a “dark day” in the history of France.
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“This is a wound to patriotic French people.”
However, Bardella later in the speech walked back some of the fiery rhetoric, saying he would never overstep the separation of powers onto the judiciary. But you could echos of Trump’s Jan 6th rallying sppech that led to the invasion of Capitol Hill.
“Never will we put pressure on democracy,” he added. Bardella then went on to attack a magistrates’ union.
Later on in the speech, he seemed to hint at a future for National Rally even after Le Pen, vowing: “We will be here tomorrow”.
Far-right playbook
During his speech, Bardella also hit his usual talking points, attacking the left and immigration.
Such rhetoric that Bardella deployed, including targeting judges, is emblematic of the far right globally.
In the US, Donald Trump‘s government has repeatedly attacked judges who have halted his legislative programme.
