Bannon to France: Elect Le Pen to "Kill the EU," Dismisses Bardella

Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist to Donald Trump, has directly intervened in French politics, urging voters to choose Marine Le Pen for president. In an interview with a French broadcaster, Bannon said electing Le Pen would "kill the EU." He dismissed her party's current president, Jordan Bardella, as a "lightweight." Bannon is a prominent figure on the nationalist right in the United States. His comments highlight how France's upcoming election is being watched internationally. The election is seen as a critical test for the future of the European Union. Le Pen leads the National Rally party. She has softened her image but still advocates for major EU reforms. Bardella, a protege of Le Pen, is seen as a potential prime minister if the party wins parliamentary elections.