Marine Le Pen is seeking to revitalize the Rassemblement National (RN) party by positioning her chosen successor, Jordan Bardella, as its new leader. Bardella, 30, assumed the leadership amid Le Pen’s legal troubles, which include a one-year prison sentence with two additional years suspended. Despite his relative youth and limited professional experience outside the party, Le Pen has described Bardella as her "lion cub," highlighting his energetic media presence and perceived electoral appeal, particularly among younger voters.

The RN, formerly known as the National Front (Front National or FN), was founded in 1972 by Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. Under his leadership, the party became a dominant force in French politics, with Jean-Marie Le Pen finishing second in the 2002 presidential election. Since then, the RN has become the largest party in the French National Assembly, despite internal divisions within that legislative chamber.

While Bardella lacks a university degree and a background outside party politics, his youthful image and communication skills are viewed as assets in a political landscape where the RN capitalizes on nationalist and anti-immigration sentiments. The party also remains critical of supranational institutions like the European Union and skeptical of global environmental initiatives. These positions continue to resonate with a significant portion of the French electorate.

Le Pen appears to envision a future in which Bardella may rise to the prime ministership—a role in France that does not require direct election—while she maintains influence behind the scenes. The RN is preparing for the 2027 presidential election with ambitions to secure the presidency, signaling its confidence despite recent setbacks.

The party’s platform and strategy draw inspiration from the broader rise of populist and nationalist movements worldwide, including the electoral success of Donald Trump in the United States and the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom. Although Bardella has yet to establish the same level of influence as other populist figures such as Trump or UKIP leader Nigel Farage, Le Pen’s grooming of the young leader suggests a concerted effort to modernize and sustain the party’s long-term relevance.