As French lawmakers voted to topple the government on Wednesday, several thousand people lined up outside a cafe in northern Paris for a chance to share a brief word, or perhaps even a selfie, with the rising star of the French far right.
Jordan Bardella, the 29-year-old wingman of nationalist leader Marine Le Pen, is a lawmaker in the European Parliament. So he was not at the National Assembly voting to oust Prime Minister Michel Barnier alongside his fellow National Rally (RN) party members on Wednesday.
Instead, he was less than five kilometres (3 miles) away, swarmed by adoring fans, signing copies of his hit debut book, "What I'm Looking For."
"It's the book they don't want you to read," Bardella declared during a whirlwind promotional tour that has coincided with France's second major political crisis in six months.
Le Pen was the driving force in toppling Barnier's government over a 2025 budget bill the RN and the left deemed too tough on the working classes. That has left Bardella free to bask in adoration as he promotes his book across France.
"I bought his book on the first day and I read it straight away," said Pierre Le Camus, a 25-year-old former parliamentary assistant to an RN lawmaker, outside the book-signing venue. "I come to encourage him in everything he does."
BAD REVIEWS
The reviews have not been kind - "a marketing object ... devoid of any introspection or revelation," Le Monde declared - but sales have been robust, with nearly 60,000 copies sold since its launch on Nov. 9, according to Europe 1.
None of the young crowd queuing round the block in the freezing cold to meet their hero on Wednesday night were concerned about sniffy reviews in Parisien broadsheets.
They were more worried about rising gang violence and immigration, issues Bardella has made a key part of his political pitch.
"We need things to change and I think Bardella is the man to do it," said 18-year-old Eric Berthelot, who hails from a rough suburb outside Paris.
He said he grew up surrounded by drugs, weapons and stolen cars in a neighbourhood with a large African immigrant population. Cops were rarely present, Berthelot said, and the cameras they installed were immediately burned down. A few years ago, his friend was stabbed to death, an innocent bystander caught up in gang violence, he said.
"France welcomes all the misery of the world," he said. "But those who arrive don't respect our culture and want to destroy our country. That's not acceptable and must be punished."
'I KNOW THE GHETTO'
Louis de Lassagne, a 19-year-old student from a small wealthy town outside Paris, said he, too, was concerned by rising crime. He said he knew Philippine, a 19-year-old middle class girl murdered in September, allegedly by a Moroccan man due to be deported. The RN jumped on her high-profile killing as vindication of its calls for tougher immigration and crime laws.
Bardella has long cited his upbringing in the poor and multi-ethnic Seine-Saint-Denis department north of Paris as the crucible in which his political views were forged.
Ismael Habri, a 27-year-old janitor with a TRUMP badge on his lapel, said he grew up in a similar environment.
"I know the ghetto well so I understand Bardella," he said. "France needs hope. France needs to regain its sovereignty."
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has praised France’s rejection of a controversial encryption bill, warning that weakening privacy protections would do little to stop crime but could endanger millions of law-abiding users.
Talks in Paris between U.S. officials and European leaders have kickstarted a new diplomatic format aimed at shaping Ukraine's post-war future, with the involvement of Europe’s three most powerful countries.
Two of President Donald Trump's top national security aides plan to hold talks in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday as the United States and Europe search for common ground on ending the Ukraine war and averting an Iran conflict.
Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country within 48 hours in response to the arrest of three Algerian nationals in France, prompting sharp criticism from the French government.
France has warned it will take swift action if Algeria follows through on threats to expel 12 French diplomats, as tensions between the two countries resurface.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met his Kyrgyz counterpart Mirbek Mambetaliev in Bishkek to discuss cultural collaboration, highlighting key initiatives like the Kyrgyz Culture Days in Baku and joint projects like the new school in Aghdam.
Azerbaijan and Algeria held their second round of talks in Algiers, focusing on boosting relations in politics, trade, and energy, including the 2026 Islamic Summit. They also discussed regional issues and cooperation in multilateral organizations.
Australia’s top political leaders doubled down on plans to ban social media access for children under 16, showing rare unity on the issue ahead of the May 3 election even as pressure from tech giants is expected to mount.
The IMF has lowered global and U.S. economic growth forecasts, citing Trump-era tariffs and rising uncertainty. Global growth is expected at 2.8% this year, while U.S. growth may slow to 1.8%, with heightened recession and inflation risks.
China’s Shenzhen Hasee Computer Co. is considering launching laptop manufacturing operations in Azerbaijan, following key talks with local investment authorities.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia’s top political leaders doubled down on plans to ban social media access for children under 16, showing rare unity on the issue ahead of the May 3 election even as pressure from tech giants is expected to mount.
China’s Shenzhen Hasee Computer Co. is considering launching laptop manufacturing operations in Azerbaijan, following key talks with local investment authorities.
The blockade of Serbia’s national broadcaster RTS entered another day, as students and citizens press demands for media transparency and accountability following a deadly tragedy in Novi Sad.
As Canadians prepare to head to the polls on April 28, 2025, the upcoming federal election is set to be one of the most consequential in recent history.
Sweden, Lithuania, Norway and Finland are considering a coordinated acquisition of hundreds of CV90 infantry combat vehicles made by BAE Systems, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Tuesday.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met his Kyrgyz counterpart Mirbek Mambetaliev in Bishkek to discuss cultural collaboration, highlighting key initiatives like the Kyrgyz Culture Days in Baku and joint projects like the new school in Aghdam.
Azerbaijan and Algeria held their second round of talks in Algiers, focusing on boosting relations in politics, trade, and energy, including the 2026 Islamic Summit. They also discussed regional issues and cooperation in multilateral organizations.
Australia’s top political leaders doubled down on plans to ban social media access for children under 16, showing rare unity on the issue ahead of the May 3 election even as pressure from tech giants is expected to mount.
The IMF has lowered global and U.S. economic growth forecasts, citing Trump-era tariffs and rising uncertainty. Global growth is expected at 2.8% this year, while U.S. growth may slow to 1.8%, with heightened recession and inflation risks.
China’s Shenzhen Hasee Computer Co. is considering launching laptop manufacturing operations in Azerbaijan, following key talks with local investment authorities.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment