So close to becoming French president – and yet so far – politico

But what, on its surface, seems to be a lucky break once in a life, is, to a deeper inspection, a little more than a poisoned chalice.

To start, Le Pen obviously refused to approve a possible candidacy of Bardella, promising rather to fight for the opportunity to run after all. Tuesday’s decision by a court of appeal to reign in the case by the summer of 2026 gives him a ribbon of hope.

It is made more difficult for his protégé than Le Pen is almost universally adored in his party. None of his allies seems ready to tell him that Appliances Bardella now, rather than waiting for the courts to govern on his case, is the surest way to protect his movement.

“For Bardella, the way Marine Le Pen reacts is not good news,” said a former national gathering official who has kept links with the party.

The manager said that if the Pen was waiting for the “bitter end” and was still forbidden to run, it will be too late for Bardella to put a successful campaign.

“The presidential campaign is its full when (Bardella) joins the race,” said the official.