Le Pen's French presidential bid dashes EU hopes for a Meloni-like successor

Key Points:

• Marine Le Pen has announced her fourth bid for the French presidency in 2027, ending speculation that she might step aside for National Rally's younger leader, Jordan Bardella.
• Brussels officials and lawmakers view Bardella as more pragmatic and less ideological than Le Pen, raising hopes he might be easier to work with on EU matters despite both representing far-right politics.
• Le Pen's presidency is seen as a significant threat to EU cohesion, especially amid upcoming budget negotiations and defense cooperation efforts, with fears her leadership could hinder consensus among EU member states.
• Bardella, while more moderate on economic policies and EU integration than Le Pen, remains skeptical of NATO and shares some far-right stances, posing potential challenges for EU and transatlantic relations.
• Some European conservatives express openness to collaborating with either Le Pen or Bardella, seeing their leadership as an opportunity for "real change" in Europe despite widespread concern in Brussels.