France’s far-right star Bardella is about to find out whether he’s running for president – POLITICO

Far-right star Jordan Bardella faces a career-defining moment Tuesday, when he’ll finally learn whether Marine Le Pen’s legal troubles will knock her out of the next French presidential election, anointing him as their party’s candidate.

Since Le Pen was first found guilty of embezzling European Parliament funds and handed a five-year ban on running for public office last spring, she and Bardella have had to navigate the thorny question of who would represent their nationalist, anti-immigration National Rally party in the 2027 race to replace President Emmanuel Macron.

The two tried to present a united front throughout Le Pen’s fast-tracked appeal this year, reiterating that she is the preferred candidate while Bardella is the “Plan B” — and that no matter who runs, Brussels better get ready.