Madrid – Macron seeks clarification over Bardella’s alleged antisemitic statements

MADRID, September 30 /ATSH-DPA/ – After serious accusations of antisemitism against Jordan Bardella, the leader of France’s National Rally, President Emmanuel Macron has asked the far-right party to clarify its stance.

“First of all, the quoted statements are, of course, extremely grave and unacceptable and leave no room for comment”, Macron said during a state visit to Spain.

“They require the strongest possible condemnation”, he added.

“Political leaders must make clear what political stance they hold, which statements they consider acceptable, and which persons within their party can make such statements”, Macron said.

Earlier, the investigative online news site “Mediapart” reported that Bardella, years ago, had made clearly antisemitic statements.

The far-right politician denied these accusations.

Specifically, “Mediapart” refers to what it calls “persistent antisemitism”, referring to Bardella’s written communications from 2013 to 2015.

“Mediapart” claims it has been able to independently verify these materials.

According to “Mediapart”, during the first years of his political engagement, Bardella had written messages containing stereotypes and conspiracy theories, for example claims about Jews controlling power and attempts to create a new world order.

“Of course, these are crude falsifications”, Bardella commented regarding the accusations.

With about seven months left until the presidential elections, these accusations come at a particularly unfavorable moment for the National Rally.

The far-right party hopes that Marine Le Pen will become France’s next president.

According to the National Rally’s plan, Bardella is expected to become prime minister in a government led by Le Pen, if she is elected president.