Le Pen’s 29-year-old protege is the new anti-immigration face of French far right but observers point to his youth and lack of experience

• Marine Le Pen barred from running for French presidency in 2027

The court ruling barring Marine Le Pen from running for president has recast a spotlight on her right-hand man, Jordan Bardella, as debate swirls over who may end up representing the far right in France’s 2027 presidential race.

While Le Pen’s lawyer has said she will appeal Monday’s court ruling, the process could drag on for months or years, leaving the ban firmly in place as the country heads towards presidential elections. Polls had long suggested that Le Pen, who helms the far-right the National Rally (RN) party, was among the leading contenders to succeed the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, after his second and final term ends in 2027.