All posts tagged: Bardellas

Gossip mag confirms Bardella’s romance with Maria Carolina de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles – POLITICO

Gossip mag confirms Bardella’s romance with Maria Carolina de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles – POLITICO

Bardella’s press team did not respond to a request for a comment. Bardella and de Bourbon have been romantically linked since they were caught on camera leaving a media event together and taking the same car in January. Asked if he was in a relationship with de Bourbon later that month, Bardella said he was a happy man and no longer single, but that “my private life belongs to me.” Scrutiny of Bardella’s private life is certain to increase as France gets closer to next year’s presidential election. He is set to run as the National Rally candidate if Marine Le Pen’s embezzlement conviction denies her a spot on the ballot — and most polls show him comfortably winning the first round of the contest. Since bursting onto the political scene, Bardella has carefully crafted an image of himself as a self-made man who, as the child of blue-collar Italian immigrants, understands the French working class and can be their standard-bearer. His partner has led a much different lifestyle. A duchess by title, de Bourbon …

Bardella’s main rival for French presidency risks crashing out of race – POLITICO

Bardella’s main rival for French presidency risks crashing out of race – POLITICO

It will also be a grave personal disappointment for Philippe, who has long held ambitions to run for the Élysée. As prime minister from 2017 to 2020 he steered France through the Covid pandemic, but was ultimately sidelined by Macron when the president wanted to give his government a “new direction,” a decision that many in the administration believed was due to Philippe’s higher popularity ratings. This month’s local elections are an opportunity to launch his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential race. But Philippe now risks slipping up before he even reaches the starting line. A shock poll from OpinionWay landed last month and predicted that Philippe could be squeezed out by the far right and far left in the second round of the contest in Le Havre. Philippe was seen winning only 40 percent, pipped by the Communist Jean-Paul Lecoq on 42 percent. Franck Keller, backed by the RN, was set to win 18 percent. Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe could see his presidential ambitions dashed if he doesn’t get the backing of …