Letters
The age of French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is not the point
Readers argue that it is wrong to focus on this aspect of the far-right politician
Support for the far-right Rassemblement National has risen greatly in recent years
Victor Velter/Shutterstock
To the Editor,
In response to Nick Inman’s recent article, it used to be the case that the Front National and the Rassemblement National (RN) attracted older voters.
Recently, the demographic profile has changed. Among under-35s, RN support has risen dramatically compared with the 2010s, with Ipsos finding RN support around 32% among under-35 voters in the first round of the 2024 legislative election.
The strongest support now comes in the 35-59 age group; the over-70s are more likely to be centre-right.
Jordan Bardella’s popularity lies with non-graduates, blue-collar and lower-middle-class workers, small-town and rural voters, and people who feel economically or culturally insecure.
So despite his political infancy, his views seem to resonate across age groups, each of which finds his message attractive for different reasons.
That said, it is not advanced age that is a determining factor of success; after all, William Pitt the Younger became prime minister at 24 in 1783, Napoleon became a leading general in his 20s and effectively ruled France by age 30, Benazir Bhutto was elected prime minister of Pakistan at 35 and, more recently, Gabriel Attal became prime minister of France at 34 in 2024.
P.S., by email
To the Editor,
I neither agree or disagree with Nick Inman’s article. From my point of view, the question is not relevant as I believe these people no longer represent us.
We can do without them and other national politicians too.
J.H., by email
How do you feel about the popularity of the far-right in France? Let us know at letters@connexionfrance.com
