Marine Le Pen has defended National Rally party president Jordan Bardella at the French National Assembly following accusations of antisemitism published by investigative news site Mediapart.
The controversy overshadowed a gathering of top party leaders on Tuesday, September 29, who had met at the parliament building in Paris to celebrate the creation of a new parliamentary group in the Senate.
According to an investigation by Mediapart, an independent French investigative news publication, Bardella is alleged to have written several antisemitic messages in private communications during his early years in politics.
Arriving at the National Assembly, Bardella denied having ever held antisemitic views and stated that political opponents were attempting to assassinate him politically.
National Rally rejects Mediapart report
Marine Le Pen, the National Rally's candidate for the French presidency, launched a series of attacks against Mediapart during the event. Speaking under applause from party officials, Le Pen gave her full support to Bardella and described the subtlety of the manipulation as being like a butcher trade fair.
Le Pen declared that the National Rally would not let itself be pushed around, adding that the party would use what she termed a coarse manipulation to expose the true nature of Mediapart.
Le Pen targets investigative outlet
Addressing journalists present in the room, Le Pen said reporters had no reason for the fascination they appeared to hold for Mediapart, which she described as an openly militant, far-left news outlet. She also suggested that Mediapart should put on a Kevlar bulletproof suit as the party fights back.
The National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, has steadily expanded its presence across French legislative bodies. Establishing a recognized parliamentary group in the Senate, the upper chamber of the French Parliament, provides political parties with dedicated committee positions, official speaking time, and state resources.
