France's far-right shares Trump's view of Europe

The leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, Jordan Bardella, has welcomed "for the most part" the concerns raised about Europe in US President Donald Trump's new National Security Strategy.

Last week, the White House released a document outlining Trump's vision for the world and the state of the European continent, which many have characterized as harshly critical of Europe.

Speaking to the BBC, Bardella praised what he called Trump's "appeal to American pride" - but he made it clear that he did not want Europe to be "subservient to any great power".

He said there was a "wind of freedom, of national pride blowing in all Western democracies."

In a wide-ranging interview, the 30-year-old, who opinion polls suggest is leading the race to become France's next president, was also challenged on the RN's political history and his stance on immigration. 

Bardella said he shared most of the concerns expressed by the Trump administration about Europe facing "the demise of civilization," which the White House said was being driven by a range of policies, including migration.

"Massive immigration and the carelessness of our governments in the last 30 years regarding migration policy are shaking the balance of European countries, Western societies and, in particular, French society," said Bardella.

Early parliamentary elections in June 2024 made the RN the largest single force in parliament, although an alliance of left-wing parties secured victory.

The next French presidential election will be held in 2027. A recent poll for Le Figaro suggests that Bardella would win with 44% of the vote, just ahead of Marine Le Pen, the leading figure of the RN, whose candidacy is in doubt after she was found guilty of embezzling EU funds and banned from running for office for five years.

An appeal expected early next year will determine whether Le Pen can run - otherwise, Bardella is expected to replace her.

Bardella dismissed suggestions that this was causing tensions between them, stating that they were united by "trust and friendship".

"I will fight by her side so that she wins the appeal. Until the appeal, we will campaign together, as we will do afterwards, hand in hand," he said in his interview.

The RN was founded by Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie, in 1972. Known then as the National Front (FN), it has since become a dominant force in French politics. Jean-Marie Le Pen was convicted several times for Holocaust denial and was an unrepentant racist.