Le Pen’s strategy to win French presidency: Bring Bardella everywhere – POLITICO

PARIS — Marine Le Pen’s first campaign stop in western France on Wednesday revealed a major clue on how she plans to win over voters long skeptical of the far right: Keep her charming, 30-year-old protégé attached at the hip.

Le Pen’s thinking is that Jordan Bardella’s youth appeal, comms skills and history of outreach to the business elite can help widen the appeal of their party, the National Rally, and compensate for her weaknesses. After trying — and failing — three times to reach the Elysée Palace, Le Pen has struggled to articulate what will be different about her platform this time around, and how she will appeal to voters outside her core electorate.

Keeping Bardella this close, however, is either a stroke of genius or a sign of desperation.