French far-right leaders Le Pen and Bardella push sovereignty agenda

In September 2026, French far-right leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella are promoting nationalist and sovereignty-focused policies ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen, who leads in polls, defended a freeze on tobacco taxes and reaffirmed her alliance with Bardella, while Bardella argued that Ukraine should repay European aid and criticized uncontrolled immigration. Meanwhile, left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon claimed France is no longer sovereign, and centrist François Bayrou warned that the far-right and far-left pose a lethal risk to the country. Bardella's European tour was also marred by controversies.