The Rassemblement National (RN) in France is gearing up for the 2024 European elections with high hopes of riding the wave of populism across the continent. Eyeing an alliance with other

European far-right parties, the RN, led by Jordan Bardella, sees an opportunity to solidify its position as a frontrunner in the upcoming elections.

Bardella expresses a sense of momentum building towards the June 2024 European elections, drawing parallels to historical moments, although cautious of past political upheavals. The RN leader believes in capitalizing on what he perceives as a delayed surge of populism in France, anticipating a shift away from President Emmanuel Macron's leadership in the 2027 presidential election, likening it to Donald Trump's victory over Barack Obama in 2016.

Confident in the RN's prospects, Bardella predicted a remarkable 30% result for the party, surpassing even the most optimistic poll projections by five points. Recent surveys have bolstered this outlook, bringing the RN closer to breaking its own national election record, excluding presidential run-offs where they've historically fallen short. The party's peak was during the 2015 regional elections, achieving 27.1% shortly after the November attacks in Paris.

For Bardella, the key strategy lies in harnessing the momentum of the "useful vote" in the campaign's final phase. His objectives are threefold: reclaiming the top spot secured in 2019, surpassing Macron's camp yet again; securing an influential electoral score; and significantly weakening direct rivals such as Reconquête (far-right) and Les Républicains (conservative). The RN aims to solidify its position as a formidable force in French and European politics. Photo by European Parliament from EU, Wikimedia commons.