Jordan Bardella denies antisemitism claims in France

Jordan Bardella, the 31-year-old leader of France's far-right National Rally, is denying allegations that he wrote antisemitic messages as a teenager in 2013.

The investigative website Mediapart published the allegations on September 28 and posted screenshots on October 1 that it said showed the Facebook Messenger messages. Bardella accused his opponents of trying to derail the National Rally's rise, said the messages were fake and vowed to take Mediapart to court.

Marine Le Pen, Bardella's close ally and the party's leading presidential figure, initially echoed his denial. She later told La Tribune Dimanche that she had complete confidence in him.

The allegations have emerged as polls cited by AFP show Le Pen positioned to win the French presidency on her fourth attempt, with Bardella widely seen as a possible prime minister if she does. Bardella has been central to Le Pen's strategy of trying to distance the party from the legacy of its founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was openly antisemitic.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin accused Bardella of antisemitism and lying. Socialist leader Olivier Faure also criticised him. Bardella has said the aim of the allegations is to “kill my political career”.

Analysts quoted by AFP differed on whether Le Pen would move against Bardella. Sociologist Erwan Lecoeur said he believed Le Pen would eventually “pull the plug” on him, while Cardiff University politics lecturer Marta Lorimer said any move to oust him would likely reflect broader tensions with Le Pen rather than the allegations alone.