French far-right leader Jordan Bardella arrived in Warsaw on Thursday for a two-day visit, seeking to strengthen ties with nationalist and right-wing politicians across Europe. The trip, which includes a stop at the Polish-Belarusian border, is part of Bardella's broader strategy to build a coalition of like-minded leaders ahead of France's presidential election in 2027.
Bardella, president of the National Rally (Rassemblement National), met behind closed doors with Karol Nawrocki, the president of Poland backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, and Krzysztof Bosak, a leader of the right-wing Confederation party. The discussions focused on the future of Europe, continental security, and bilateral cooperation.
“European nations must take their destiny into their own hands, and in particular their autonomy, independence and freedom, and France has a role to play and new leadership to offer on the European stage,” Bardella told reporters after the meeting.
In a post on X, Bardella described the encounter as an honor, noting that “a long-standing friendship unites France and Poland, which share many common challenges on the European stage.” He added that Poland is “a key country for building the new European architecture we envisage, based on the protection of borders and economic growth.”
Building a Far-Right Network
This visit is Bardella's latest effort to forge alliances with nationalist parties across the continent, following similar trips to Portugal, Italy, and Belgium. In Brussels, he previously courted Vlaams Belang, a Flemish far-right party, as part of a push to create a unified bloc in the European Parliament.
Bardella's itinerary includes a visit to Frontex's Warsaw headquarters and the electronic barrier on Poland's border with Belarus, installed to prevent illegal migration. He framed this as a gesture of solidarity with a friendly country, emphasizing that Poland is “one of the most dynamic countries in Europe” thanks to its economic development and border protection policies.
On military cooperation, Bardella stressed that “France and Poland will deepen their cooperation on military matters,” especially “at a time of American withdrawal” from Europe. This aligns with his party's stance on reducing reliance on NATO and the United States, a theme that resonates with some European nationalist movements.
The visit comes as Poland prepares for its own parliamentary elections, expected in autumn 2025. Bardella's meeting with Nawrocki, a PiS-backed candidate, signals a mutual interest in coordinating strategies ahead of both countries' electoral contests.
Bardella's push for a “new European architecture” based on border protection and economic growth reflects a broader trend among European far-right parties, which have gained ground in recent years. However, his efforts face challenges, including ideological differences among nationalist groups and the resilience of mainstream pro-European parties.
As Bardella continues his tour of European capitals, the question remains whether these alliances will translate into tangible political influence or remain symbolic gestures. For now, his Warsaw visit underscores the growing interconnectedness of Europe's nationalist movements.
