Jordan Bardella recently unveiled his list for the upcoming European elections, which are set to take place on June 9th. The list includes a significant amount of new faces, some regional elected officials being repositioned, recruits from civil society, and no major political defections. Only seven outgoing MEPs from the National Rally party are guaranteed to return to the European Parliament, following a relatively quiet term for the party’s 23 elected officials in 2019. Among those who will potentially return is Thierry Mariani, whose high placement on the list highlights his political experience despite his close associations with the Kremlin and Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliev.
The list also includes Virginie Joron, who has been known for her controversial statements and affiliations with conspiracy theorists and vaccine skeptics. With a potential of around thirty MEPs, Jordan Bardella aimed to please a wide range of individuals within the party. While some, such as Jean-Lin Lacapelle, a long-time supporter of Bardella, did not make the list, others like Marine Le Pen’s close associates André Rougé and France Jamet secured spots towards the end of the list. Additionally, lesser-known individuals from regions such as the North, Saône-et-Loire, Gironde, Réunion, and Guadeloupe have been included in order to ensure local representation.
The list also contains individuals who were unsuccessful in recent legislative elections or high-ranking party members like Gilles Pennelle and Julien Sanchez. These individuals are likely to receive generous and tax-free salaries if elected to the European Parliament. While the list includes several external figures, most owe their presence to Marine Le Pen rather than Jordan Bardella. Only a few of Bardella’s close associates, such as Mathilde Androuët and Pierre-Romain Thionnet, have secured prominent positions on the list, while others like Gaëtan Dussaussaye are in less visible positions.
Overall, Jordan Bardella’s list for the European elections reflects a mix of new and old faces, with a focus on regional representation and political experience. While some within the party may be disappointed with the list, Bardella’s aim appears to be to present a diverse group of individuals who can potentially bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the European Parliament. The upcoming elections will determine the composition of the French delegation to the European Parliament and the role that the National Rally party will play in shaping European policies and legislation.
