Jordan Bardella has canceled his scheduled speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) after infamous conservative figure Steve Bannon appeared to make what was widely seen as a Nazi salute during his address.
Bardella, who leads the far-right National Rally party (RN) in France, was slated to speak on February 21, but he withdrew from the event following Bannon's provocative actions. Just before Bardella was to take the stage, Bannon raised his arm to the crowd and concluded his speech with the words "fight, fight, fight," prompting immediate backlash and concern.
Jordan Bardella explained his decision to withdraw from CPAC, stating, "Yesterday, at the podium, one of the speakers made a provocative gesture referencing Nazi ideology." His statement reflected his disapproval of Bannon's display, made even clearer by his decision to cancel just moments after the gesture came to his attention.
Despite the outcry, Bannon defended his actions during interviews, insisting, "It's not Nazi salutes, it's my way of saluting the crowd." He took it a step farther by disparaging Bardella, labeling him as "just a little boy, not capable of leading France," and dismissively noted, "If he is so worried and acts like a little girl, then he's unworthy to ever lead France."
The incident sparked broader discussions about the atmosphere at CPAC, which has become heavily associated with former President Donald Trump's MAGA movement. Bannon is no stranger to controversy and is known for making incendiary comments and gestures.
Jordan Bardella, during his planned speech, was expected to address the growing ties between patriotic parties across Europe and their movements inspired by Trump. This was particularly pivotal as Bannon's involvement was intended to solidify links between their political ideologies.
Bardella's withdrawal signals significant internal strife among European far-right leaders, particularly as the RN has previously expressed solidarity with Trump's vision. Just earlier this month, Marine Le Pen, also from the RN, spoke at another right-wing conference, underscoring the rising nationalist movements across Europe, stating, "The election of Donald Trump cannot be simply analyzed as just another alternation within democratic governance; it's indicative of a global turning point."
The nature and significance of CPAC within the American political milieu cannot be understated. Since its inception, it has served as a powerful platform for conservative voices and burgeoning political figures. Now, it often welcomes some of the most contentious personalities associated with Trump's reign, demonstrating the divide within conservative ideology and its affiliations.
Following the incident, RN deputy Thomas Ménagé conveyed the party's discontent with Bannon’s display, commenting, "This act of provocation is not conforming to our values." Ménagé indicated Bardella's actions reflected broader principles held by the party, seeking to distance itself from any semblance of extremist symbolism.
While the quandary sparked by Bannon's gesture seems relatively contained within the four walls of the conference, the repercussions may stretch far beyond this event. It risks tarnishing Bardella's reputation and casting doubt on the RN's position within the European parliamentary framework, especially amid growing scrutiny of far-right movements.
With Bardella's exit from CPAC, the RN is left reassessing its strategy and its associations. The fact remains, this incident could potentially weigh heavily on the party's future collaborations with other nationalist movements and its alignment with Trump’s ideologies moving forward.
Observers of European politics will be analyzing how these developments intersect with the larger narrative of nationalism and conservatism as they evolve, particularly through the lens of high-stakes gatherings like CPAC. Bannon’s controversial appearance is emblematic of the tensions often lurking within the shifting dynamics of right-wing politics, and the personal jostles between its prominent leaders—Bardella and Bannon—serve as glaring reminders of the perils awaiting those who tread too closely to extremist rhetoric.