Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, is publishing his book “What I am looking for” this Saturday. This release is accompanied by a major promotional campaign, notably via the media of the Bolloré group, owner of the publisher Fayard. This advertising campaign is already raising questions about its financing and its scope.
Jordan Bardella, rising figure of the National Rally, publishes his book “What I am looking for” this Saturday.
This 320-page book, with a print run of more than 150,000 copies, is presented as a story of his personal and political journey.
It combines youthful memories, campaign anecdotes and reflections on his political ideals, thus being part of the continuity of his trajectory within the party.
A promotion under the influence of the Bolloré group
For the first time, a book by a leader of the far-right Lepéniste is published by the Fayard publishing house, traditionally perceived as one of the most prestigious in France.
This marks a notable change, as Fayard is now part of the Bolloré group, which uses its media resources to support book promotion.
This massive promotion via media that belong to the same group could raise questions about the independence and plurality of information, the Bolloré group having a growing influence on the French media landscape.
The advertising campaign refused by SNCF and RATP
This is not the only question this campaign raises. Indeed, on Friday, Fayard announced that it had filed an appeal against the subsidiary of SNCF and RATP, which refused to broadcast the book’s advertising campaign in stations.
The SNCF finally decided not to broadcast the campaign at the end of October. The advertising campaign planned the use of 581 panels distributed in stations across France, according to documents consulted by Libération.
However, Mediatransports, responsible for managing the signs for RATP and Gares et Connexions (a subsidiary of SNCF), canceled the contract. According to the authority, “promoting the work of a serving politician“contravenes”principle of neutrality“.
This campaign comes at a time when the National Rally is still involved in the trial concerning the MEP assistants affair – a case which, however, does not directly target
Jordan Bardella. Inspired by Sarkozy and Marine Lepen
In his book, Jordan Bardella evokes the presidential election of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007 as a model to follow. He highlights “the idea of bringing together French people from the working class and part of the conservative bourgeoisie in the same spirit“.
Jordan Bardella devotes an entire chapter to Marine Le Pen, whom he describes as a central figure in his career. He also presents her as the one who encouraged him to pursue his political ambitions, going so far as to predict a possible accession to Matignon before the second round of the legislative elections.
jordan bardella France world politics
