France, April 27 -- Jordan Bardella has positioned himself as the National Rally's potential presidential candidate as Marine Le Pen fights a court ban from holding public office.

Speaking to Le Parisien newspaper this weekend, Bardella has signalled his intention to stand as the French far-right National Rally's presidential candidate in 2027, should party leader Marine Le Pen be barred from running.

56-year-old Le Pen, a three-time presidential candidate and a strong contender for the upcoming election, was banned from holding public office for five years after a court in March found her and several party members guilty of misusing public funds.

French court hands Le Pen five-year election ban in fake jobs case

She has firmly denied...