The president of the National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, attended a banquet for seniors in Stiring-Wendel, Moselle, on October 8, 2023. Among the seniors, there was a well-dressed thirty-something man with a reassuring smile who is actually a member of parliament. This man, Kévin Pfeffer, is a member of the National Rally (RN) party in Moselle and he has found success in connecting with older voters, despite initial hesitations. He believes that his appearance and status as a deputy help to earn respect from older voters, who appreciate seeing their representatives in action.
Pfeffer is not alone in recognizing the shift in the voting population, particularly among older voters who have historically not supported the far-right. The National Rally party is actively trying to appeal to older voters, who are seen as crucial in upcoming elections. With the support of Bardella and other party leaders, the far-right is making inroads with older voters who had previously been resistant to their message. The upcoming European elections on June 9 are expected to confirm this trend, as studies have shown a shift in support for the party since the 2022 legislative elections.
The older generation, who were active participants in voting against Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2002, have shown a shift in support for the far-right in recent years. While the vote for Le Pen has increased among voters aged 45-65, those over 65 have not followed the same trend. In the 2022 presidential election, only 29% of voters over 65 supported Marine Le Pen in the second round. However, this age group represents a significant portion of the voting population in France, making them a key demographic for political parties to engage with.
According to political analyst Jérôme Fourquet, older voters are more likely to hold onto traditional values that are less aligned with the far-right’s message of radical change. This makes them an important demographic to win over for parties like the National Rally. Older voters also tend to be more active in participating in elections, making them a powerful force in shaping electoral outcomes. In a recent Ipsos poll, 62% of voters aged 70 and older stated that they were certain to vote in the upcoming European elections, compared to only 44% of the overall electorate. Their engagement in voting has been crucial in past elections and will continue to be a determining factor in future political contests.
