French far right faces tough election hurdles

Significance

Next month, a Paris court will rule in a case in which RN leader Marine Le Pen is accused of embezzlement. If found guilty, her prospects of continuing to lead the party and being its candidate for the next presidential election would be under serious threat.

Impacts

• There is a growing possibility that President Emmanuel Macron will opt to form a technocratic government.
• If Le Pen does not run in the next presidential election, Jordan Bardella will almost certainly be RN’s candidate.
• There is little prospect of RN and the other main far right party, Reconquest, joining forces in future elections.