All eyes are on France as National Rally leader Marine Le Pen awaits a crucial verdict that could have far-reaching consequences for her political future. The decision is being closely watched by supporters, opponents, and political observers across Europe. In this edition of Race To Power, we explore the case, its significance for French politics, and what the ruling could mean for the future of the country's right-wing movement.

France's national rally leader Marine Le Pen awaits a defining verdict

As France on Sunday (Jul&nbsp;7) holds its potentially 'seismic' snap legislative elections, far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella looks poised to become the prime minister. This significant feat at the young age of 28 depends on&nbsp;his party securing a majority, which, as per exit polls, is a huge possibility.

The elections, scheduled in two rounds on June 30, which the far right won, and July 7 (Sunday), could mark a significant shift in French politics and the face of this change is Bardella.

<h2>Who is Jordan Bardella?&nbsp;</h2>

Twenty-eight-year-old Bardella has had humble beginnings. From the social housing block in the outskirts of Paris where he grew up, to the helm of RN, Bardella has had nothing short of a meteoric rise.

His rags-to-riches story, from being raised by a single mother in a drab tower block in the crime-blighted northern Paris suburbs to potentially becoming the nation's PM, has struck a chord with many voters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-elections-2024-could-le-pens-far-right-seize-control-of-parliament-in-seismic-election-738592">French Elections 2024: Could Le Pen's far-right seize control of parliament in 'seismic' election?</a>

The young politician, as per AFP, has helped rejuvenate the RN party's image, long tainted by racism and anti-Semitism.

Under his watch, the National Rally (RN) achieved record scores in this month's European elections and won the first round of legislative polls on Sunday (June 30).

<h2>Bardella's Meteoric Rise</h2>

Jordan Bardella joined the National Front, at the age of 16, reports Reuters.

His prominence surged when, at the age of 23, he led the RN to a top spot in the 2019 European elections, edging out President Macron's centrist party.

In 2022, Bardella cemented his leadership within RN by winning nearly 85 per cent of party members' votes, thereby succeeding Marine Le Pen as the party president. This made him the first person outside the Le Pen dynasty to lead the party.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-marine-le-pen-far-right-french-leader-set-to-dethrone-macron-738624">Who is Marine Le Pen, far-right French leader, set to dethrone Macron?</a>

Known for his sharp wit and compelling media presence, Bardella has emerged as a formidable opponent to Macron's administration.&nbsp;

The fact that he is unburdened by 'Le Pen' the most notorious surname in French politics helped him, and in turn, the party expand&nbsp;its vote among pensioners, young people and university graduates —&nbsp;who were reluctant previously to support the anti-immigration party, reports AFP.

In a statement last week, the young leader said he wanted to be the "prime minister of all French" respectful of the constitution in a "cohabitation" with President Emmanuel Macron, but "uncompromising".

"The French people have handed down a clear verdict," he said after his party came out on top in the first round of snap legislative elections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As France on Sunday (Jul 7) holds its potentially 'seismic' snap legislative elections, far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella looks poised to become the prime minister.

As France on Sunday (Jul 7) holds its potentially 'seismic' snap legislative elections, far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella looks poised to become the prime minister. This significant feat at the young age of 28 depends on his party securing a majority, which, as per exit polls, is a huge possibility. The elections, scheduled in two rounds on June 30, which the far right won, and July 7 (Sunday), could mark a significant shift in French politics and the face of this change is Bardella. Who is Jordan Bardella? Twenty-eight-year-old Bardella has had humble beginnings. From the social housing block in the outskirts of Paris where he grew up, to the helm of RN, Bardella has had nothing short of a meteoric rise. His rags-to-riches story, from being raised by a single mother in a drab tower block in the crime-blighted northern Paris suburbs to potentially becoming the nation's PM, has struck a chord with many voters. Also read | French Elections 2024: Could Le Pen's far-right seize control of parliament in 'seismic' election? The young politician, as per AFP, has helped rejuvenate the RN party's image, long tainted by racism and anti-Semitism. Under his watch, the National Rally (RN) achieved record scores in this month's European elections and won the first round of legislative polls on Sunday (June 30). Bardella's Meteoric Rise Jordan Bardella joined the National Front, at the age of 16, reports Reuters. His prominence surged when, at the age of 23, he led the RN to a top spot in the 2019 European elections, edging out President Macron's centrist party. In 2022, Bardella cemented his leadership within RN by winning nearly 85 per cent of party members' votes, thereby succeeding Marine Le Pen as the party president. This made him the first person outside the Le Pen dynasty to lead the party. Also read | Who is Marine Le Pen, far-right French leader, set to dethrone Macron? Known for his sharp wit and compelling media presence, Bardella has emerged as a formidable opponent to Macron's administration. The fact that he is unburdened by 'Le Pen' the most notorious surname in French politics helped him, and in turn, the party expand its vote among pensioners, young people and university graduates — who were reluctant previously to support the anti-immigration party, reports AFP. In a statement last week, the young leader said he wanted to be the "prime minister of all French" respectful of the constitution in a "cohabitation" with President Emmanuel Macron, but "uncompromising". "The French people have handed down a clear verdict," he said after his party came out on top in the first round of snap legislative elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Jordan Bardella? Far-right leader poised to become France's youngest Prime Minister

Authorities have informed that around 30,000 police will be stationed throughout France on Sunday (Jul 7) night in anticipation of possible unrest in the aftermath of the results of a snap election.&nbsp;

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that 5,000 police would be on duty in Paris and in the neighbouring region to "ensure that the radical right and radical left does not take advantage of the situation to cause mayhem".&nbsp;

Prisca Thevenot, who is the government spokesman, claimed that she and her team had been attacked on Wednesday night while hanging campaign posters in Meudon, outside of Paris. Four persons, including one under the age of 18, were arrested. Thevenot told Le Parisien newspaper that she was not harmed, but her deputy and a party activist were injured.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-pm-expresses-confidence-in-preventing-far-right-majority-737776">French PM expresses confidence in preventing far-right majority</a>&nbsp;

In a separate incident, Marie Dauchy, who is an RN candidate in Savoie, also said she had been attacked by a shopkeeper at a market on Wednesday (Jul 3).&nbsp;

A former spokesman for President Emmanuel Macron said that a 77-year-old deputy mayor of a small town near Grenoble, in southeastern France, was punched in the face on Thursday (Jul 4) morning when putting up a poster for Olivier Veran, who denounced a "completely unprecedented context of violence in this campaign".&nbsp;

<h2>What to expect polls?&nbsp;</h2>

In the second round of voting, Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) is hoping to win a majority of the 577 seats in France's National Assembly.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a poll on Wednesday predicted that RN will not win a majority of seats in next Sunday's parliamentary run-off election, suggesting efforts by French mainstream parties to block the far right might work.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-general-elections-2024-keir-starmer-tells-voters-today-we-can-begin-a-new-chapter-737897">UK General Elections 2024: Keir Starmer tells voters today 'we can begin a new chapter'</a>&nbsp;

A Harris Interactive poll for Challenges magazine showed the RN would fall short of the 289 seats required to control the 577-seat National Assembly.&nbsp;

The poll suggested that RN and its allies would get just 190 to 220 seats, meanwhile, the centre-right Republicans (LR) would win 30 to 50 seats.&nbsp;

"The result of the withdrawals is a clear step back for RN," Challenges reporter Remi Clement wrote on X.&nbsp;

<h2>Mbappe's request to the voters&nbsp;</h2>

France captain Kylian Mbappe said Thursday it was "really urgent" to vote in the second round of legislative elections in the country.&nbsp;

"I think more than ever we need to go out and vote. We can't leave our country in the hands of these people," Mbappe said at a press conference in Hamburg ahead of France's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Portugal there on Friday.

"It is really urgent. We have seen the results, they are catastrophic. I hope it changes and that everyone goes out and votes, and votes for the right people."

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Authorities have informed that around 30,000 police will be stationed throughout France on Sunday (Jul 7) night in anticipation of possible unrest in the aftermath of the results of a snap election.

Authorities have informed that around 30,000 police will be stationed throughout France on Sunday (Jul 7) night in anticipation of possible unrest in the aftermath of the results of a snap election. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that 5,000 police would be on duty in Paris and in the neighbouring region to "ensure that the radical right and radical left does not take advantage of the situation to cause mayhem". Prisca Thevenot, who is the government spokesman, claimed that she and her team had been attacked on Wednesday night while hanging campaign posters in Meudon, outside of Paris. Four persons, including one under the age of 18, were arrested. Thevenot told Le Parisien newspaper that she was not harmed, but her deputy and a party activist were injured. Also read: French PM expresses confidence in preventing far-right majority In a separate incident, Marie Dauchy, who is an RN candidate in Savoie, also said she had been attacked by a shopkeeper at a market on Wednesday (Jul 3). A former spokesman for President Emmanuel Macron said that a 77-year-old deputy mayor of a small town near Grenoble, in southeastern France, was punched in the face on Thursday (Jul 4) morning when putting up a poster for Olivier Veran, who denounced a "completely unprecedented context of violence in this campaign". What to expect polls? In the second round of voting, Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) is hoping to win a majority of the 577 seats in France's National Assembly. Meanwhile, a poll on Wednesday predicted that RN will not win a majority of seats in next Sunday's parliamentary run-off election, suggesting efforts by French mainstream parties to block the far right might work. Also read: UK General Elections 2024: Keir Starmer tells voters today 'we can begin a new chapter' A Harris Interactive poll for Challenges magazine showed the RN would fall short of the 289 seats required to control the 577-seat National Assembly. The poll suggested that RN and its allies would get just 190 to 220 seats, meanwhile, the centre-right Republicans (LR) would win 30 to 50 seats. "The result of the withdrawals is a clear step back for RN," Challenges reporter Remi Clement wrote on X. Mbappe's request to the voters France captain Kylian Mbappe said Thursday it was "really urgent" to vote in the second round of legislative elections in the country. "I think more than ever we need to go out and vote. We can't leave our country in the hands of these people," Mbappe said at a press conference in Hamburg ahead of France's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Portugal there on Friday. "It is really urgent. We have seen the results, they are catastrophic. I hope it changes and that everyone goes out and votes, and votes for the right people." (With inputs from agencies)

2024 France Elections: Authorities deploy more police amid fears of violence after poll