Le Pen, Bardella paper over differences ahead of French presidential race

France's far-right leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella are publicly reconciling after internal friction over strategy and messaging ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The rift, which had surfaced in recent months, is being managed to project unity, but underlying tensions over leadership and policy direction remain unresolved. This matters because a divided National Rally could weaken its electoral challenge to the centrist establishment.