Le Pen Clips Bardella’s Wings, Reasserts Control Ahead Of Campaign Relaunch

Marine Le Pen will relaunch the autumn phase of her presidential campaign on Sunday in Hénin-Beaumont, flanked by Jordan Bardella, who turns 31 that day. What will look like a united front masks a clear internal shift: Ms Le Pen has been consolidating power inside the National Rally (RN), sidelining some of Bardella's allies and restoring trusted family members and veterans to key roles.

Family, Loyalists And The 'De‑Bardellisation'

The French press has dubbed the move a "de‑Bardellisation." In recent weeks Bardella's economic adviser François Durvye has left the campaign, long‑standing Le Pen loyalists have assumed strategic positions, and Marion Maréchal — once estranged after backing rival Éric Zemmour in 2022 — has returned to the fold. Ms Le Pen's brother‑in‑law Philippe Olivier remains a key strategist, while younger family members such as Nolwenn Olivier have been appointed to communications roles. Renaud Labaye and Jean‑Philippe Tanguy are also taking on heavier responsibilities within the presidential operation.

The message from the Le Pen clan to Jordan Bardella is clear: there can only be one boss - Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty

Policy Clashes And Image Battles

The dispute with Bardella is not only about personnel but also about policy and tone. Ms Le Pen has revived a hardline proposal to hold a referendum to ban the headscarf in public spaces, with potential fines for non‑compliance — a measure Bardella had removed from his 2024 platform in favour of narrower limits on conspicuous religious symbols in public institutions. On pensions, Ms Le Pen has reasserted plans to lower the retirement age to 62 — or 60 for those who began work young — while Bardella has pushed for a more business‑friendly posture.

The exit of Durvye, a former adviser to billionaire Pierre‑Édouard Stérin, crystallised these tensions. Le Figaro said Durvye left over disagreements on economic direction; Ms Le Pen later framed his departure as her decision, underscoring who now holds the initiative.

Once-estranged, Ms Le Pen's niece Marion Maréchal is back in the fold - Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/AFP/Getty

Bardella's High‑Profile Moves And Backlash

Far from retreating, Bardella has maintained a high public profile, conducting a European tour, speaking to international media and sharing platforms with figures such as Nigel Farage. His appearance in Birmingham to sign a migration pact with Farage — proposing that Britain intercept small boats and return people to France — drew severe criticism in France, with opponents accusing him of agreeing to shift Britain’s migrant burden onto France. The episode highlighted tensions over strategy and communications within the RN.

What Comes Next

Party insiders play down talk of a permanent split and say Bardella will remain RN president, lead the parliamentary campaign and could become prime minister if Ms Le Pen wins. Still, analysts warn his position is precarious: he lacks an independent electoral base or an alternative career outside the party, and his influence appears to depend on staying firmly aligned with Ms Le Pen. For now, Sunday’s event will project unity — but the internal power struggle suggests that Ms Le Pen intends to remain the undisputed leader of the RN.

Bottom line: The relaunch will be staged as a show of unity, but behind the scenes Ms Le Pen is firmly reasserting control over personnel, policy and messaging — and making clear there can be only one boss.