Bardella emerges into the spotlight as French coalitions seek ways to stop the rise of the right

A French survey by the Odoxa agency predicts for the first time that National Rally leader Jordan Bardella would win the 2027 presidential elections, regardless of his opponents. Bardella, the successor to Marine Le Pen, would secure around 35 to 36 percent in the first round, surpassing all challengers in the second.

Despite this advantage, analysts note that the French political system often mobilizes broad coalitions against the far right, which has defeated the Le Pen family three times in the past. Bardella's rise comes at a time when Emmanuel Macron's political legacy is weakening following last year's snap elections that resulted in a parliamentary deadlock.

Marine Le Pen is currently awaiting an appeal on a verdict that imposed a five-year ban on holding office, making Bardella a natural RN candidate. The survey indicates that he would convincingly defeat Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the second round, and narrowly Edouard Philippe, underscoring deep disappointment among French voters with the existing centrism.