The congress of the far-right formation National Rally, held this Saturday in the city of Orléans, has confirmed Jordan Bardella again as president of the party, thus reinforcing the position of the considered 'number two' of the leader Marine Le Pen just a few months before the presidential elections.
After the internal result was known, Bardella celebrated his continuity at the head of the party on social media and emphasized the key moment in which the organization finds itself. "Congratulations to the new members of our National Council, who form the parliament of our party! Six months before a decisive electoral appointment, the National Rally is in marching order, united by a cause that surpasses them all: France!", proclaimed Bardella on social media after his reelection.
The far-right leader has taken the opportunity to appeal directly to the membership, to whom he has called for support for the upcoming electoral battle with the aim of bringing his leader to the Élysée Palace. Bardella has also requested collaboration from the members of the formation "to bring Marine (Le Pen) to the Élysée". "I will need you," he pointed out.
During his speech, Bardella has highlighted the organic growth of the National Rally in recent years and has emphasized the increase in the membership base and the party's institutional presence at the local level. Thus, he highlighted that the party has "tripled" the number of affiliates in the last four years to 160,000 and has obtained greater representation with the "70 mayors and 3,000 municipal councilors" elected in spring.
The leader of the formation has also referred to the controversies surrounding him, particularly the accusations regarding alleged antisemitic texts attributed to him, which he categorically rejects. Bardella has referred on the other hand to the accusations of antisemitic writings attributed to him, which he denies. "Every time a leader of the National Rally has been unjustly attacked by our detractors, the movement has demonstrated admirable unity and combative solidarity. This unity will be the cornerstone of our victory," he highlighted.
In the political sphere, he has taken the opportunity to attack his opponents, whom he blames for a climate of tension and for encouraging social conflict. At the same time, he has attacked the "political opponents who legitimize violence" and "incite disturbances," referring to La Francia Insumisa.
The congressional meeting of the National Rally, the main opposition force to the government of President Emmanuel Macron, has been accompanied by a significant mobilization in the streets of Orléans. The party's congress, the main opposition formation to the government of President Emmanuel Macron, has provoked a counter-demonstration of about 13,000 people, according to the prefecture; 26,000 according to the organizers, including unions, associations, and political organizations. Authorities had anticipated up to 30,000 participants in the protest, which has taken place peacefully.