Fifty-seven percent of all respondents in the Odaxa poll, which was published Thursday evening in Le Figaro, believed Bardella would be able “exist politically” without Le Pen, seemingly assuaging concerns that he would flounder with his mentor. Forty percent said they are considering voting for Bardella, compared to 38 percent for Le Pen.
Bardella has been at pains in recent days to insist on his full support for Le Pen. On Thursday, he said that Le Pen was “innocent” and hoped that she would be the far right’s “standard bearer” in 2027.
But Le Pen has appeared increasingly pessimistic about her prospects of a successful appeal. She had repeatedly professed her innocence, slamming the charges as politically motivated, but last month said that if a crime was committed, it was not done intentionally. A verdict in the case, which Le Pen has said will determine her political fate, is expected before summer.