12.06.2026 17:21
The love affair between France's far-right "man of the people" leader Jordan Bardella and Italian Princess Maria-Carolina has caused a crisis within his party. The 30-year-old politician, who has faced "elitist" accusations from the opposition following his luxurious lifestyle and Monaco appearances, has sparked fears that the party may lose its working-class voter base.
The love affair between Jordan Bardella, the young leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, and Princess Maria-Carolina, a well-known figure of the Italian aristocracy, has sparked widespread repercussions in party circles and the country's politics. Bardella, 30, who built his political image as a suburban-born man of the people, is facing criticism from the opposition for his recent luxury appearances, being labeled an "elite politician sipping champagne in Monaco."
MONACO GRAND PRIX IGNITED THE FUSE
The relationship first came to public light in April through photos published by the French magazine Paris Match. However, the sighting of 30-year-old Bardella and 22-year-old Princess Maria-Carolina de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles together at the Monaco Grand Prix intensified the criticism.
The left-wing opposition accused the RN leader of associating with the wealthy and tax havens. French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel reacted by saying, "Bardella has never stood with the working class. He prefers sipping champagne with his princess in Monaco," while Green Party leader Marine Tondelier argued that such an image from a place like Monaco sends a negative message to the public.
Bardella's inner circle, however, denied the allegations, stating that the couple was not in luxury VIP sections but in the official stands, and claimed that the reports of white glasses containing champagne were untrue.
THE "MAN OF THE PEOPLE" IMAGE AT RISK
Within the National Rally, the potential political cost of this romance is being debated. Although some party officials initially thought to positively frame this relationship as a "fairy tale of a young political leader from the people and a princess," concerns about potential backlash from the grassroots have come to the forefront.
Party strategists believe that Bardella's association with aristocratic circles in Monaco and Italy could alienate the low-income and working-class voters that Marine Le Pen has long sought to win over.
SHIFT IN ECONOMIC POLICY RHETORIC
The controversies coincide with Bardella's recent statements on the pension system, which have been seen as courting the business world. Bardella argued that the current pension system is economically unsustainable and said they are working on a flexible model based on years of work instead of a fixed retirement age. This has led to dissenting voices within the party, as it contradicts Marine Le Pen's traditional promise to lower the retirement age.
Despite all these image setbacks and ideological debates, current public opinion polls show that Bardella and Le Pen duo maintain strong popularity and leadership among voters ahead of the upcoming 2027 French presidential elections.