French presidential frontrunner Jordan Bardella vows to win 2027 polls and shift course in the EU
Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally, met with Polish Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński to coordinate a right-wing effort to reshape the European Union. Bardella aims to win the 2027 French presidential election to shift the EU’s focus back to national sovereignty and stricter border controls, according to statements made during his visit to Poland.
How would a Bardella victory change the European Union?
Jordan Bardella intends to “redirect the way the European Union operates” if he wins the 2027 presidential election. He told Polish leaders he wants to “change everything without destroying anything,” specifically by placing the European Commission back at the service of individual nations rather than the reverse.
Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the Law and Justice party, stated that a Bardella victory would be a “decisive step” toward building a European coalition capable of changing the EU. Kaczyński argued that the EU currently fails to serve the freedom, sovereignty, and development of its member nations.
Why are France and Poland aligning on migration and border security?
Both leaders view mass immigration as a primary threat to European identity. During a visit to the Border Guard post in Kuźnica Białostocka, Bardella wrote on X that Poland is “defending the whole of European civilisation” by securing the EU’s eastern frontier.
Bardella described the migration pressure from Belarus and Russia as a “hybrid” operation designed to split Europe from within. He called for Frontex, the EU’s border agency, to be fully empowered to push back illegal migrants. This position aligns with the current Polish border strategy, which Anna Bryłka, vice-president of the National Movement, noted has shifted migration routes toward Lithuania and Latvia.
According to Bryłka, the Polish Border Guard has transferred over 550 migrants to Lithuania and detained nearly 60 human smugglers since the start of 2026.
What EU policies do the National Rally and Law and Justice oppose?
The two parties share a specific opposition to the EU’s Green Deal and the MERCOSUR trade agreement. Bardella stated that these projects harm national industries and farmers. He noted that the Patriots for Europe and the ECR Group (European Conservatives and Reformists) have jointly opposed the MERCOSUR deal for this reason.
Kaczyński added that while the two parties may differ on some values, they are in complete agreement that Europe needs to be strengthened and changed. He compared the “brutal” political attacks both parties have faced, suggesting this shared resilience will be necessary for their future electoral battles.
What happens next for these political movements?
The alignment between Bardella and Kaczyński sets the stage for two major electoral cycles. Poland is preparing for parliamentary elections next autumn, while Bardella is positioning himself for the French presidential race in 2027.
If both movements achieve victory, they aim to use the combined influence of France and Poland—two of the EU’s major powers—to force a structural overhaul of the union’s governance. This would likely involve a reduction in the power of centralized EU institutions in favor of national governments.
Frequently Asked Questions
The French presidential elections are scheduled for 2027.
Jordan Bardella and the National Rally advocate for an EU that serves the sovereignty of member nations and opposes centralized projects like the Green Deal.
It serves as the EU’s eastern frontier. Right-wing leaders view its security as essential to preventing mass illegal migration into the continent.
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