Jordan Bardella, the chairman of the Rassemblement National (RN) in France, publicly distanced himself from the AfD party. Speaking to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, he stated that “many of the AfD’s positions are incompatible with our principles”.
Bardella noted that the AfD neither sits in the same parliamentary faction as the RN nor serves as a “coalition partner on the European level”. In addition to concerns over handling neo-Nazism, he identified “the AfD’s extreme rhetoric regarding historical matters” as a defining difference. He further claimed that the party possesses a strong, pro-European anti-establishment wing demanding a withdrawal from the EU. He clarified that this stance is not the RN’s position, insisting that their goal is to achieve radical change “without destroying anything”.
Regarding potential policy shifts should he win the presidential election in the Spring of 2027, Bardella criticized the current economic course of the European Union. He argued that it would be beneficial for France, Germany, and the broader European economy if Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resigned, calling her body responsible for “the economic weakening of Europe”. Specific examples of this alleged weakening included the “green ideal of degrowth” the phase-out of combustion engines, and the abandonment of nuclear power. On trade policy, he also expressed immense dissatisfaction, labeling the current tariff deal with the United States as “an act of servitude and economic subjugation”. He concluded by stating that von der Leyen is “completely incapable of defending European interests, including those of Germany”.
Turning to bilateral cooperation, Bardella showed support for industrial defense collaboration, overturning previous approaches championed by his predecessor, Marine Le Pen. While he acknowledged that the ambitious FCAS air combat system project has failed, he quickly added that a disagreement on fighter jets does not prevent cooperation on anti-drone, satellite, or tank systems.
However, he delivered a pointed message to the German government, urging them to bolster France’s role in defense. Bardella argued that if Germany wants a stronger French commitment to defense matters, it must procure French equipment; specifically, he advised buying French Rafale combat jets rather than American F-35s, which he claimed would constitute “a kind of independence”.