October 5 marks a milestone for the National Rally and the moment it entered the public eye. On that date in 1972, a cluster of small groups with far-right leanings—among them activists from the New Deal, French Algeria, Vichy France, and monarchist circles—convened under the banner led by Jean-Marie Le Pen. Five decades later, the movement underwent a pivotal transformation under Marine Le Pen, who steered it from a fringe group into a mainstay of national politics after earning a commanding share in the presidential runoffs of the 2010s.
Today the far-right footprint in France remains visible, yet the commemoration is typically restrained. A single morning tweet from Marine Le Pen and a scholarly gathering in the National Assembly, capped at thirty attendees, signal a minimal public observance. The elder Le Pen was excluded from the event in 2015, and the gathering centered on the party’s historical moment rather than a celebration of his career. The party’s current leadership aims to distance itself from past associations with neo-fascism while presenting a renewed, electable profile.
The party now known as the National Rally (RN) marks fifty years since its rough birth as a contesting movement, evolving into a force that claims governance as a possible future. A public statement from Marine Le Pen placed emphasis on honoring activists who contributed to the party’s national mission fifty years on.
— Marine Le Pen
Le Pen without the surname
For the first time in its history, the ultra-right faction is preparing to elect a president who does not carry the Le Pen name. Jean-Marie Le Pen led the party from its founding in 1972 until 2011, shaping it into a recognizable political entity, albeit with a ceiling that limited its reach. Marine Le Pen took the helm in 2011 and pursued a strategy focused on redefining the party’s image, downplaying earlier associations with antisemitism and violence linked to extremist groups.
Ten years into Marine Le Pen’s leadership, a new generation eyes the top post. Two front-runners include Jordan Bardella, a 27-year-old member of the European Parliament and a local mayor, and Louis Aliot, 53, a long-time ally and political partner. Roughly 30,000 RN members will vote electronically this October to choose the next president. The contenders have not stood out with sharp ideological shifts, and the campaign has largely unfolded amid internal debates and questions about leadership style. One observer notes that party wars have not been the focus this winter, as ordinary citizens face other household concerns.
“Party wars are not the priority this winter, when households contend with heating costs,” commented a rising RN figure, underscoring a practical, problem-oriented tone in the party’s internal discourse.
Doubts for 2027
Two candidates without direct family ties to the Le Pen lineage are seeking the presidency for the first time. Bardella and Aliot stand close to the Le Pen circle, suggesting continuity rather than a dramatic rupture. Analysts see this as evidence that the current leader may retain the final say over naming a successor. A political scientist emphasizes a perception of opaque internal democracy within the RN and predicts Marine Le Pen will likely influence the choice of the next head of the party.
Observers note that expectations around leadership transitions have shifted since the party posted strong results in recent legislative elections, including a notable share of seats that positioned RN as a significant political force. The leadership aims to balance institutional work with an eye on the 2027 presidential race, signaling a focus on governance while maintaining party cohesion. Analysts warn that internal dynamics will continue to shape the party’s public image, especially as questions about the next generation of leadership persist.
The broader conversation highlights that the party’s internal process is as much about branding and institutional presence as it is about policy direction. The emphasis appears to be on presenting a party capable of serious governance, rather than a purely protest-oriented movement. As vendors of critique and advocates of a strong national focus, RN figures suggest a future where the party positions itself as a credible alternative in the national political landscape, even as the broader electorate weighs the implications of a leadership change.